Iran says yes to soft rock, no to rap

Lady In Red star Chris De Burgh will be the first Western artist to play a concert in Iran since the country's 1979 revolution, according to reports.

Authorities in Tehran have approved a plan for the Irish singer to play with Iranian pop group Arian, the group's manager told Reuters news agency.

De Burgh recently recorded a song, The Words I Love You, with the band.

Western pop songs with lyrics are banned in Iran, although state radio sometimes plays instrumental versions.

Iranians wanting to record an album or stage a concert need to get official permission.

Arian's manager, Mohsen Rajabpour, told Reuters that the ministry for culture had "officially announced that there is no problem with holding a joint performance".

"We are trying to organise the concerts, scheduled for June and July," he added, confirming a report carried by Iran's Fars new agency.

The plan is to hold the concert at a 12,000-seat stadium complex in Tehran.

De Burgh is expected to visit Iran early next year as a tourist for discussions on the project.