Tehran - An Iranian-American reporter detained in Tehran for alleged illegal press activities has been charged with espionage, local media reported Wednesday.

Roxana Saberi, 31, a reporter for US-based National Public Radio (NPR), was initially detained for buying alcohol and has been held in Tehran's Evin prison since the end of January.

In March, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said Saberi was denied official press accreditation since 2006 and was working illegally.

Tehran - An Iranian-American reporter detained in Tehran for illegal press activities has bee charged with espionage, a media report said Wednesday.

Roxana Saberi, the 31-year-old reporter working for US-based National Public Radio, was initially detained for buying alcohol and is under Iranian custody since the end of January in Tehran's Evin prison.

But Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said in early March that Saberi was denied official press accreditation since 2006, and was working illegally.

Tehran  - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Wednesday welcomed overtures by US President Barack Obama, but said that Tehran is still waiting for real changes in the new US administration's policies.

Obama, in a message last month on the occasion of the Persian New Year, said he wanted better ties with the Islamic republic and offered a new start in relations after decades of mistrust.

Tehran  - Iran has appointed Mohammad Mayelikohan as national football team coach in succession of Ali Daei, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

The reports said the Iranian Football Federation (FFI) appointed Mayelikohan late Monday. Mayelikohan trained the national team 1995- 1997 and is currently coach of the Saipa Karaj club.

Daei had to leave after a 2-1 home defeat against Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier on March 28 which left Iran with an uphill battle to qualify for the 2010 finals in South Africa.

Tehran - Moderate Iranian presidential hopeful Mir-Hossein Moussavi on Monday accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of being a radical, particularly in foreign policy.

In his first news conference in Tehran, the former prime minister accused the hardline president of radical policies that "severely harmed our national interests."

"Extremism brings heavy costs for us, such as chanting harshly worded slogans and at the same time talking about friendship with Israeli nation," he said.

Tehran  - Tehran Monday distanced itself from Pyongyang's rocket launch, urging countries in that "sensitive region" to stay calm and apply their efforts to securing peace and stability.

North Korea launched a rocket on Sunday, in defiance of warnings from the US and its Asian neighbours, saying it was putting a communications satellite called Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit.

Japan, South Korea and Washington believe the launch was a screen to test a ballistic missile.