BOSTON (AP) – Boston Police have agreed to provide an escort when former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami visits Massachusetts this weekend, after Gov. Mitt Romney ordered state agencies not to participate.

Mayor Thomas Menino said the decision came after the city was asked by the U.S. State Department to assist in the protection of a visiting foreign dignitary, in part by providing a police escort.

Menino said the city agreed to the request “in the interest of general public safety.”

On Tuesday, Romney ordered all state agencies to refuse any assistance if requested, including a State Police escort.

Romney said Mohammed Khatami oversaw the torture and murder of dissidents, as well as Iran’s secret nuclear program, while in office from 1997 to 2005.

Khatami’s visit Sunday to the Boston area will include a speech at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Romney criticized Harvard for allowing Khatami to speak, saying the school has committed a disgrace to the memory of all Americans who lost their lives at the hands of extremists.

Harvard has said it is surprised and disappointed by Romney’s position.