Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei said Saturday the United States “wouldn’t hesitate a moment” to overthrow the current Iranian leadership if it could.
The remarks, reported by Iranian media, eschewed compromise with the U.S. at a time when world leaders are trying to work out a long-term deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
 “American officials publicly say they do not seek regime change in Iran,” said Khamenei, according to Fars, a semi-official news outlet. “That’s a lie. They wouldn’t hesitate a moment if they could do it.”
The hard line taken by Khamenei and other Iranian policymakers matches the mood by some congressional lawmakers, including a group of 59 bipartisan senators who are pushing legislation to increase sanctions on Iran if the country goes back on the temporary deal or fails to meet certain qualifications.
Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in November that Iran should be forced to give up all of its nuclear programs – and that sanctions should continue until they do.