U.S. is seeking regime change in Iran: Rouhani

The United States is seeking regime change in Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday in a speech broadcast on state TV.

The United States is using psychological and economic warfare and questioning the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic to pursue regime change in Iran, Rouhani said in a speech commemorating the beginning of the academic year at Tehran University.

“Reducing the legitimacy of the system is their final goal. When they say getting rid of, regime change in their own words, how does regime change happen? Through reducing legitimacy, otherwise a regime doesn’t change,” Rouhani said.

Tensions have ramped up between Iran and America after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from a multi-lateral agreement on Iran’s nuclear program in May and reimposed sanctions in August.

The United States is planning on imposing additional sanctions targeting Iran’s oil sector in November.