TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Wednesday that it is the U.S. regime which must change its nature and not Iran.

“It is the U.S. regime which must change nature and not Iran. Increasing opposition of the international community to the U.S. behavior and actions which violate international law has made change in the U.S. regime’s nature an international demand,” Mousavi said in a statement.

He noted that the U.S. regime resorts to “economic terrorism” and has taken the international trade hostage and threatens other countries to force them to follow its illegitimate policies and demands.

“This regime obstructs justice for those who commit war crimes and murder journalists and supports them and does not respect environment, human rights and values of the international community. This regime which constantly threatens the international peace and stability must change nature,” he added.

In remarks on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Texas A&M University said, “We’re exerting maximum pressure to change the very nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran to make sure that that regime simply behaves like a normal country and does not spread terror throughout the world. Today as we stand here, Iran is engaged in conducting an assassination campaign throughout Europe. Our diplomats are working to push back against them so this will stop.”

NA/PA