Iranian President Hassan Rowhani rules out nuclear weapons programme
US remains cautious as new president says Tehran would not pursue WMDs and holds out hope of talks with the West to end standoff
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani has vowed that his government would never develop nuclear weapons, his strongest signal yet that he may be seeking a diplomatic thaw with the West after decades of acrimony.
In an interview with NBC News days before he travels to New York for a UN appearance, the new Iranian president also insisted he had “complete authority” to negotiate a nuclear deal with the United States and other Western powers.
“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,” Rouhani said when asked whether he would forswear nuclear arms.
Rouhani’s conciliatory comments appeared to be another sign of his willingness to work toward a diplomatic solution in Iran’s bitter nuclear standoff with the West. Washington and its allies are intrigued but still wary, making clear they hope to see tangible steps to back up his words.
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
Speaking to the US network at his presidential compound in Tehran, Rouhani said the tone of a letter he had received from President Barack Obama, part of a recent exchange of messages between the leaders, was “positive and constructive.”