TEHRAN -- Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said on Tuesday that the angry foreign policy adopted by the U.S. President George W. Bush would threaten the world peace.

Khatami, on the first visit to Afghanistan by an Iranian head of state in four decades, said that the United States had created a "war-like" atmosphere throughout the world since September 11. Speaking at a joint press conference in the Afghan capital Kabul after talks with Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, Khatami said, "I believe that American leaders have a misunderstanding and an incorrect perception both about their own power and their own interests." "Contrary to the methods pursued by previous (U.S. administrations), (present) statesmen could have benefited the world, but by misusing the bitter incident of September 11 have created a war-like and rough atmosphere in the world."

"Those who have more power have more responsibility for establishing peace in the world," Khatami said. "We hope to see a change in America's policy for the sake of America and the world."

In an apparent reference to U.S. threats to oust Saddam, Khatami said: "Whoever starts war, will actually be victim of this war.

"To believe that by force you can actually make people submit is wrong and we know it actually brings anger and causes a lot more destruction," Khatami said.

Referring to Iran-U.S. relations, Khatami said he believed relations between peoples of different countries were often different from the statements that their political figures made.

On Tehran-Washington relations the Afghan President Karzai on his part said, "Both countries, Iran and America, are friends of Afghanistan.

Both countries have helped the people of Afghanistan and helped us become free from the hands of the terrorists.

"We can help bring them together as friends and pave the way for better relations between them. We will not hesitate to do anything that can help," Karzai said.

Iran confirmed it had turned over 16 suspected Al Qaeda fighters to Saudi Arabia after they fled to the Islamic Republic from neighboring Afghanistan.

Khatam also praised the Afghan people for resisting the rule of the hardline Islamic Taleban regime, which was overthrown late last year.

"The recent resistance of the people of Afghanistan against oppression and difficulties assures me that Afghanistan is moving towards peace, stability and a bright future," he said.

Iran was one of the biggest financial and military backers of anti-Taleban forces who now feature prominently in the new government installed after a U.S.-led air campaign.

Iran is also host to an estimated 2.5 million Afghan refugees who fled 23 years of occupation and civil conflict.

During an official visit to Iran in February, Karzai called Iranians "brothers" and asked for the Islamic Republic's help in reconstruction of his war-ravaged country.

Iran has pledged $560 million dollars for reconstruction of Afghanistan -- the largest contribution by any one country.