Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Says Iran Will 'Never' Develop Nuclear Weapons

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated in a television interview Wednesday that his government will “never” seek to build nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.

In a Wednesday interview with NBC, the Iranian president spoke from his Tehran compound, stating that he and President Obama have exchanged “positive and constructive” letters on the country's nuclear ambitions.

NBC quoted Rouhani as stating that “under no circumstances would we seek any weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, nor will we ever.”

“We have never pursued or sought a nuclear bomb, and we are not going to do so,” he said. “We solely are looking for peaceful nuclear technology.”

Rouhani, who was elected in June and took office in August, also claimed that he has full legal authority to engage in nuclear talks with Western leaders. His comments come just six days before he is set to appear in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly.