TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says that Iran is more inclined toward chess than American football.

“We have no interest in American football. Rather, we are interested in a fair chess match, which requires fortitude and patience because in chess an unnecessary or illogical move will lead to defeat,” he told the Serbian daily Politika in an interview published on Sunday.Mottaki made the remarks during his recent visit to Serbia.He added, “Since the Islamic Revolution, the United States has taken many measures against us. Leading the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, organizing the sanctions (against Iran), and allocating funds (for measures) against the Islamic Republic of Iran are only a small part of those efforts.”Mottaki pointed out that no benefits will accrue to the U.S. if it continues its previous policies.“We have repeatedly announced that we are ready to help implement the change policy in the Middle East because we believe that this approach is to the benefit of the entire region and our national interests,” he observed.Commenting on U.S. President Barack Obama’s change motto, the Iranian foreign minister said, “We are closely pursuing all the current developments in Washington’s policies. However, we have seen no revolution as a result of Barack Obama’s change motto.”Mottaki also stated that the prospects for the establishment of relations between Iran and the U.S. will not be bright until the U.S. changes its approach