Ayatollah: U.S. lying about desire for regime change

TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Iran's supreme leader said the United States is lying when it says it is not pursuing an agenda of regime change in the Islamic republic.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States "would not hesitate one second" to change Iran's power structure if it had the ability to do so.

State-sponsored PressTV said the ayatollah credited the nation's commitment to the principles of Islam for keeping a religious-centered government in place.

"The other reason behind U.S. inability to change the Islamic establishment [of Iran] is that the establishment relies on the nation's faith, kindness and resolve," Khamenei said. "One can change the tactics, but principles must remain rock solid."