TEHRAN -- Washington is not seeking a "regime change" in Iran or North Korea, unlike Iraq, said the 70-year old U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, adding, "I have a feeling that in my adult lifetime we may still see the people of Iran do something about that regime."

Indeed the recent demonstrations of the Iranian nation in support of the Islamic system throughout the country proved that Rumbseld's wishes will be buried with him and will never be fulfilled.

Neither he nor his successors will see the change of the system the way the U.S. dreams of in the future.

Playing the role of an opinionated, self-righteous international policeman has been on the U.S. agenda ever since the Cold War has ended.

But as a matter of fact, the configuration of international relations has changed and Washington is already in trouble in fulfilling its wishes.

They will be fulfilled only in the dreams which is a mechanism for wish-fulfillment.

It was a couple of days ago that three congressmen called for the change of system in Iran and we in this column said that Iran is a wasp's nest and welcomed the congressmen to try their chance.

We still insist that Iran is not like Iraq or Afghanistan, the U.S. had better change its policy towards Iran and work for a rational rapprochement with Tehran that would be in the interests of both sides and the region. It is not possible to achieve this objective except through giving up hostile policies, recognizing Iran's values, apologizing Iran for past interference, and promising not to interfere in Iran's affairs in the future.

"The policy of the government of the United States has been for regime change in Iraq (...) it has not been that for some other countries, and I guess life is untidy," Rumsfeld told reporters.

Experts say that the cost of attacking North Korean and Iran would be too high, especially in the case of North Korea which could launch massive nuclear reprisals against U.S ally South Korea.

U.S. President George W. Bush said on July 8 that he would use "any means necessary" to bring about a "change of regime" in Iraq.

Nevertheless, Rumsfeld reiterated that the United States has announced no immediate plans to oust Saddam Hussein, although the Iraqi regime, Rumsfeld charged, is developing biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. When asked under what circumstances Hussein might be ousted Rumsfeld said only: "I already know of one instance: If the Iraqi military turned on them."

"First of all, we don't know if the United States would exercise a military option with respect to Iraq," Rumsfeld said, noting that a series of measures have already been employed with respect to Iraq -- diplomatic, economic, and military, in this case the enforcement of the no-fly zones over Iraq that have been in place since the Persian Gulf War.

Rumsfeld expressed some doubt about the possibility of UN arms inspectors returning to Iraq after an absence of four years, an alternative preferred by the Europeans.

Finally, when asked about the possibility of a link between Al-Qaeda and Iraq, Rumsfeld said he believed such a link exists, but noted it is a hard relationship to prove given that the U.S. is not on the ground in Iraq.