US President-elect Barack Obama [Images] has said that Iran is a genuine threat to America but he prefers diplomacy with the Islamic republic to achieve the national security goals.

"With respect to Iran, I will have more to say about Iran after January 20th. I have said in the past during the course of the campaign that Iran is a genuine threat to US national security. But I have also said that we should be willing to initiate diplomacy as a mechanism to achieve our national security goals," Obama said, referring to his speech during the election campaign days, on Friday.

Obama said his national security team -- reflective of his practical, pragmatic approach of diplomacy -- have a policy towards Iran which will be released soon.

"When we have a policy towards Iran that has been shaped by my national security team, we will release it," Obama said.