Bush told the newspaper the "Wall Street Journal" on September 9 that he wanted to hear Khatami's views.
Bush also said he is interested in learning more about the Iranian government. And he said his hope is that diplomacy will work in convincing the Iranians to give up what he described as their nuclear-weapons ambitions.
Khatami was Iran's president from 1997 to 2005. He is the most prominent Iranian in years to visit the United States, outside of visits to the United Nations' New York headquarters.
Seen as a reformist, Khatami's five-city speaking tour came amid U.S. accusations that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, sponsors terrorism, and provides arms to Hizballah guerrillas in Lebanon.
(Reuters)