A United States wrestling team is set to visit Iran for the first time since the Islamic Revolution nearly two decades ago.

Washington broke diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980 and has issued warnings to US citizens about travelling there.

But the planned sporting encounter is being seen as an attempt by the two countries to establish a better relationship.

It follows a recent announcement that Washington will consider a possible easing of visa restrictions for Iranians.

The American wrestling team will attend a tournament in Tehran in February for the first time since 1979, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

"In a letter to the Iranian federation, the American wrestling federation announced that a five-man team along with five officials will attend the bouts," the agency stated.

"The president of the American wrestling federation...will accompany the team in its trip to Tehran."

The US team will be taking part in the freestyle wrestling tournament as part of annual events marking the revolution's anniversary.

Iran has attended international wrestling meets in the US and at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

But invitations to US teams to competitions in Iran have so far been refused.

President Khatami wants closer relations.

Meanwhile, a powerful group of radical and moderate deputies in the Iranian parliament has backed President Khatami's call for a rapprochement with Washington.

The call came in a televised address to the American people last week.

President Khatami urged cultural exchanges between the peoples of Iran and the US as a first step towards improving relations between the two countries.

The Iranian and US football teams are in the same group in this summer's World Cup in France.

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