IRANIAN President Hassan Rouhani called on the United States  today to “put warmongering aside” following the sacking of national security adviser John Bolton.

Mr Bolton was removed from his post on Tuesday after President Donald Trump “disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions.” Mr Bolton was the third person to hold the post under Mr Trump. 

Mr Rouhani said on national television: “Americans have to realise that warmongering and warmongers are not to their benefit. They should not only abandon warmongering but also abandon their maximum pressure policy.”

The call came amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington following Mr Trump’s decision to pull out of an international nuclear deal with Iran.

Mr Bolton was critical of any potential talks between the US president and Iranian leaders and persuaded Mr Trump to keep US forces in Syria to counter Tehran’s influence in the region.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif frequently criticised Mr Bolton, suggesting that he was part of a “B team” targeting the country, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said Mr Bolton’s dismissal may help the US to adopt a “less biased” attitude towards Tehran.

Venezuelan officials also welcomed the sacking of Mr Bolton, who had frequently targeted the socialist government.

Industry Minister Tareck El Aissami called him the “biggest liar” and accused him of causing untold harm to Venezuela’s people.

“The historical truth has vanquished the demons of war!” Mr El Aissami wrote on Twitter. “The future is ours!”