Iran FM: We`ll cooperate with U.S. if Obama changes policies

Iran is ready to cooperate with President Barack Obama if the United States changes its policies and practices in the region, Iran's Foreign Minister said on Thursday.

"We do believe that if the new administration of the United States, as Mr. Obama said, is going to change its policies, not in saying but in practice, definitely they will find the region in a cooperative approach and reaction," said Manouchechr Mottaki.

"And Iran is not excluded from this general understanding in our region," the Iranian foreign minister said at a panel before the World Economic Forum.

Mottaki's comments came after the British newspaper The Guardian reported on Thursday that Obama's aides have drafted a letter in his name to Iranian leaders that aims to thaw relations between the two countries.

According to the report, officials from the U.S. State Department have been working on the letter - in response to a letter of congratulations from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - since Obama was elected on November 4, 2008.

The report added that at least three drafts of the letter have been composed. It seeks to assure Tehran and its people that Washington does not want to overthrow the Islamic Republic's regime, but merely change its behavior.

The Guardian reported that the letter would be addressed to the Iranian people and sent directly to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or released as an open letter.

The letter is being considered by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of a review of the new administration's policy toward Iran.Obama has in recent interviews suggested that his administration would seek better diplomatic relations with Iran.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that the new U.S. administration must apologize to Tehran over past actions if it really wants to effect change.

"Those who say they want to make change, this is the change they should make: They should apologize to the Iranian nation and try to make up for their dark background and the crimes they have committed against the Iranian nation," Ahmadinejad told a rally in western Iran, broadcast live on state television.

"We welcome change but on condition that change is fundamental and on the right track," he said.