Iran will never build nuclear weapons, says Rouhani

Iran’s new President, Hassan Rouhani, said that his country will never pursue a nuclear bomb.

10:25 20 September 2013

After freeing 11 political prisoners, which include noted human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, Iran president has abolished fear about his country building nuclear weapons. Mr Hassan Rouhani told US broadcaster that he had full authority to negotiate with the West over Tehran’s uranium enrichment program. Showing that tension in the West is not a possibility, the president said that he received a letter from US President Obama, which he described as “positive and constructive.”

It seems that the president really meant businesses when he promised to free political prisoners and when he pledged a moderate and open approach in international affairs during his election campaign. 

He said: "We have time and again said that under no circumstances would we seek any weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, nor will we ever."

"In its nuclear programme, this government enters with full power and has complete authority. We have sufficient political latitude to solve this problem."

Meanwhile, the White House gave details on recent exchange letters of the two presidents. 

White House spokesman Jay Carney said: "In his letter the president indicated that the US is ready to resolve the nuclear issue in a way that allows Iran to demonstrate that its nuclear programme is for exclusively peaceful purposes.” 

"The letter also conveyed the need to act with a sense of urgency to address this issue because, as we have long said, the window of opportunity for resolving this diplomatically is open, but it will not remain open indefinitely.”