Tehran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday said that if the changes proclaimed by his US counterpart were serious, Tehran would welcome them.

"If the changes mentioned (by Obama) were truly serious and basic, then we would welcome them, but if there was only a change of rhetoric or tactics, then nothing would change," Ahmadinejad said in a speech in the city Kermanshah in western Iran.

US President Obama on Monday said "if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us."

"We will carefully and thoroughly follow the remarks and actions (by Obama) and will wait patiently (for the changes)," the president said in his speech, carried live by the news network Khabar.

Ahmadinejad said earlier this month that new positive developments could occur in bilateral ties after three decades of estrangement if the US showed respect towards the Iranian nation.

"What the new US administration should do in the first place is change its arrogant approach and rhetoric towards others nations as if the US were first-hand and the other third- or even fourth-hand people," the president said.

"You (US) should further stop interfering in other countries as their affairs are not of your business," he added. (dpa)