Iran's foreign ministry said U.S. President Barack Obama should be given an opportunity to fulfill his pledge to change U.S. policy toward the Islamic state.

Mr. Obama said in a recent interview with the U.S. magazine Newsweek that he wants to "shift" U.S. policy on Iran from a three-decade pattern that has not produced results. He said he will reach out to Iran to give it a chance to abide by international norms.

Iran's ISNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi as saying Monday Mr. Obama's approach is "realistic." He said Iran now is waiting to see what will happen in practice.

In his Newsweek interview Mr. Obama also said he does not take any option "off the table" in dealing with what the United States and Israel see as Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Qashqavi said the Obama administration should focus on U.S. interests rather than get involved in Israel's security issues.

Israel sees Iran's nuclear program as a threat to its existence. Iran says its pursuit of nuclear technology is for peaceful purposes only.