Former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani calls for tougher stance against Iran at opposition rally

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani claps his hands at the start of a day-long conference on human rights organized by the Iranian exile opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran on Saturday, March 7, 2015. Giuliani was one of the main speakers. (AP Photo/Frank Jordans) (The Associated Press)

People enter the Velodrom cycling arena in Berlin for a day-long conference on human rights organized by the Iranian exile opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran in Berlin on Saturday, March 7, 2015. Many in the crowd said they had been brought in from neighboring Poland. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was one of the main speakers. (AP Photo/Frank Jordans) (The Associated Press)

BERLIN – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says the U.S. should take a stronger stance against Iran or risk appeasing what he calls an "insane" regime.

Giuliani told a rally in Berlin organized Saturday by the exiled opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran that anyone who thinks Iran wants nuclear power for peaceful means is "stupid."

After his speech, Giuliani told The Associated Press that he believes Shiite Iran is trying to create an empire by exerting control of Iraq and Syria. He says this could prompt a dangerous reaction from Iran's Sunni rival Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has recently said Washington will endorse only an agreement with Iran that seriously and verifiably crimps Tehran's ability to make atomic arms.