Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has attacked the United States in a strident speech completely at odds with the soft tone he used in a US TV interview earlier this month.

Speaking at the mausoleum of the late Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, he said: "Our revolution delivered us from the domination of this master and we no longer succumb.

"We have seen the most harm from the United States before and after the revolution. Their arrogant spirit has caused us a lot of trouble.

"Because it is a superpower, it allows itself to behave as it likes. It wants to impose its will on the world.

No change in anti-US line

"American leaders are out of step with the time. This is not a world that can tolerate a master-servant relationship.

"We do not need America to get along with us and help us."

The attack followed a recent speech by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which he dampened speculation of a rapprochement with the US raised by the president's "address to the American people" broadcast on CNN on January 8.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: "Relations with the bully American government are useless"

"Negotiations and relations with the bully American government are useless for us," the Ayatollah said.

"It is even harmful for Iran and the international Islamic movement," he said in a speech seen as a warning that he would not accept any change in his anti-US line. Ties between the two countries were cut 18 years ago.

Washington has policy of 'force'

Mr Khatami has now taken up this theme, insisting that Iran developed its own resources during the 1979 revolution and the 1980-88 war with Iraq.

"We will not give up our principles and values from the revolution and will not sacrifice our national interest for political gain," he said.

He said Washington's policy of "force" was at odds with Tehran's policy of seeking relations "based on mutual respect".

Hopes of reconciliation raised

His tone contrasted sharply with his CNN address when he said Iranians harboured no ill will towards the American people. In that broadcast Mr Khatami also voiced "regret" that the taking of hostages in 1979 "hurt the feelings of the great American people".

"Nothing should prevent dialogue and understanding between our two nations," he said in the address, the first by an Iranian leader to the US people since the revolution.

It raised hopes that Mr Khatami, a relative moderate who took office in August after a surprise landslide election victory in May, might overcome opposition from Islamic hardliners in the government and lay the foundations for a slow opening to the US.

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