Iran president may speak on US television

A conservative newspaper in Iran has said a decision by President Mohammad Khatami to appear on American television does not mean Iran will open talks with the United States government.

The daily Qods newspaper said there was no sign of any change in relations between Iran and the US.

The American channel, CNN, says it is to broadcast an interview with the Iranian president next week, following his call for a dialogue with the American people.

Correspondents say President Khatami took a political risk in calling for closer ties.

Much of Iran's conservative clerical establishment, including the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, is hostile to the idea.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service