Tehran - Tehran on Tuesday issued a reserved response to remarks by US President Barack Obama that his administration would be willing to engage in diplomacy with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme.

Government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said Iran would rather wait for "practical changes" by the new US government and expected a change in US policies towards Iran including a moving away from "imperialistic" policies.

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

Iranian President Mahmoud 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.

The Iranian president added that he and his government would have "patience" with Obama. (dpa)