Khamenei claims he has no intention to make or use nuclear weapons
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.
Khamenei’s comment, a reiteration of Iran’s stance, comes at
a time of increased US-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 region’s peace
and stability,” said Abe, the first-ever Japanese prime minister to hold talks
with Khamenei.
Abe’s 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 Iran.
Japan is in a unique position to act as a mediator as the US
ally has long maintained close ties with Iran.