Iran's president says he is interested in 'friendly' relation with Washington, regardless of who is in charge of the White House.

In an interview with CNN's Larry King Live, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he is willing to meet with both US presidential candidates, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain but had no preference between the two.

"We believe that these are issues relating to the domestic affairs of the United States. And decisions pertaining to that must be made by the American people," he said.

When asked whether Obama's proposal to meet would interest him, Ahmadinejad said he does not rely on the promises candidates make in the 'campaign period'.

"(During this time,) anyone can say anything. So we disregard that. What matters is that once someone is in office, we have to watch and see if that person will bring about some changes in policy or continue the same old path," he expounded.

Ahmadinejad called on both candidates to keep away from the doings of earlier US administrations, which 'inspired (Iraqi dictator) Saddam (Hussein) to attack Iran'.

The US and Iran do not have diplomatic relations. Washington severed ties with Tehran after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

"We have always been interested in having friendly relations," Ahmadinejad said, adding that "throughout history [Iran] has demonstrated that it is a nation that is for peace and friendly with others."

The United States is no exemption, he added.

MD/AA