"We are not in 'regime change' mode," Democrat John Kerry, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee told a hearing exploring the prospects for US President Barack Obama's new policy of engaging the Islamic republic.

"Our efforts must be reciprocated by the other side: Just as we abandon calls for regime change in Tehran and recognize a legitimate Iranian role in the region, Iran's leaders must moderate their behavior and that of their proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas," said Kerry.

Kerry said his panel would release a report within days on the state of Tehran's nuclear program, which Washington and its European partners fear aims to develop an atomic arsenal.

A committee aide said the document may not be made public.

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