FIFA has given a special permit to Iran's under-23 soccer team to participate in the Doha Asian Games under an exemption clause, said FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren on Monday.

Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted Herren as saying: "Iran's under-23 football team will be allowed to take part in the 2006 Asian Games based on a formal declaration of the Iranian Football Federation over the weekend in which it has announced to FIFA that it is ready to meet all conditions set by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) within one month."

Herren stressed Iran's overall suspension will remain in effect, which means Iran will still be suspended from "all international football activity until it complies with FIFA and AFC demands".

Herren added there would be "contacts on the highest levels between Iranian sports officials and the FIFA and AFC presidents."