Reuters - Iran has no intention of making or using nuclear weapons, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying on Thursday by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Khameneis comment, a reiteration of Irans stance, comes at a time of increased U.S.-Iranian tension, a year after Washington abandoned an agreement between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international financial sanctions.
Supreme Leader Khamenei made a comment that the country will not and should not make, hold or use nuclear weapons, and that it has no such intentions, Abe told reporters in Tehran following a meeting with Khamenei.
Today, I met Supreme Leader Khamenei and heard his belief in peace. I regard this highly as a major progress toward this regions peace and stability, said Abe, the first-ever Japanese prime minister to hold talks with Khamenei.
Abes comment was broadcast on Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
On Wednesday, Abe warned of unintended clashes in the crisis-hit Middle East after meeting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Abe was visiting Iran to help ease rising tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic.
Japan is in a unique position to act as a mediator as the U.S. ally has long maintained close ties with Iran.