WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday he views Iran as a "genuine threat" but still favors initiating a dialogue with the Islamic republic.

Asked about Iran at a news conference, Obama said he would not go into detail about his policy toward Tehran because of the principle that there is only one president at a time.

"I have said in the past during the course of the campaign that Iran is a genuine threat to U.S. national security," he said.

"But I have also said that we should be willing to initiate diplomacy as a mechanism to achieve our national security goals, and my national security team, I think, is reflective of that practical, pragmatic approach to foreign policy."

Obama, who takes over as president from George W. Bush on Jan. 20, said he would have "more to say about Iran" after the inauguration. (Reporting by Caren Bohan and Andy Sullivan; Editing by John O'Callaghan)

AlertNet news is provided by