Iran leader: Having nuclear weapons "a sin"

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei / Getty Images

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's top leader insisted on Wednesday that his country is not seeking nuclear weapons, saying that holding such arms is a sin as well as "useless, harmful and dangerous"

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke after meetings with Iranian nuclear scientists and officials. He did not mention a visit this week to Iran by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

The International Atomic Energy Agency team left Tehran on Tuesday without finding any way forward in attempts to persuade Iran to talk about suspected secret work on atomic arms.

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The West accuses Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charges, saying its program is peaceful and geared toward generating electricity and producing radioisotopes to treat cancer patients.

In remarks broadcast on state TV, Khamenei said atomic weapons don't bring power but that Iran's achievements in nuclear technology; including proficiency in the nuclear fuel cycle from extracting uranium ore to producing nuclear fuel; have brought dignity and pride to the nation.

Khamenei, who has final say on all state matter in Iran, also said that Western powers know "we are not seeking nuclear weapons because the Islamic Republic of Iran considers possession of nuclear weapons a sin ... and believes that holding such weapons is useless, harmful and dangerous."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran wants to prove to the world that possessing nuclear weapons does not bring power and that might doesn't come from atomic weapons. Might based on nuclear weapons can be defeated and the Iranian nation will do this," he said.

[gabenow]

Jeremy Bernstein of the New Yorker wrote an interesting e-single on Iran's developing nuclear program. Worth reading, for those interested: http://******/tk0fx

[john5673]

It is unfortunate that the hard core radicals who had planted and executed the immoral, illegal and inhumane Iraq war, in which America has not lost only her prestige and image and trillions of dollars including more than 5000 American souls but the USA and the entire world has been almost bankrupted. But the same gang is once again planning another more deadliest and far damaging war with Iran with no apparent reason but to topple the Iranian government similarly they had thought to topple Saddam Hussain, then Gadhafi and now in Iran. Hope, American majority will wake-up and take a stand to stop this madness which is definitely not in America's Interest but surely it may take in demise of the great Empire for ever, like many in the past history.

[Anahita82]

dont worry...i think its a game,US never starting fight against Iran's government,maybe they started,because of they remains in Iran if they have another war like Iraq 's war(for many reasons),ok?i'm sure US President had known better that war with Iraq was a mistake if they are really wanted to have calm Middle east.

[rwsmith29456]

I think the guy's right, but in 1945 the atomic genie was let out of the bottle and no one has been able to get it back in.

[venusvegasvada]

Oh, well, why didn't you just say so in the first place.

Our bad! Sorry for thinking you wanted weapons after all your talk of wiping out Isreal and the evil of the great Satan and after offering free fuel, you understand.

[netjunkie1]

"No religious reading, instruction or exercise, shall be prescribed or practiced [in the elementary schools] inconsistent with the tenets of any religious sect or denomination."--Thomas Jefferson, Elementary school Act, 1817

[gfw11]

A sin? Just because that turd says so? I don't think so!

[pbaird2]

Well, if the supremem religious leader says it is so, it must be the truth because we all know muslims don't lie (much).

[Anahita82]

Muslim? they are Shiite muslims and they have something called "Taqiye" and you know what it means? it means you can tell lie when your Interests are in danger ,interests could containing Jihad or any thing else,

[PourpaixPourpaix]

In the past, Iran has called for the cessastion of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and asked it to be declared a nuclear-free zone. They were told no resoundingly and belittled each time they brought it up. So how can you blame them now. Nuclear powers Russia and China on their doorstep. Neighbor Pakistan and near-neighbor India with their budding nuclear arsenals. Israel implicitly intimidating the entire region with their not-so-phantom nuclear arsenal. And the USA protecting neighbor Iraq, as well as blatently intruding their nuclear-laden military into Iranian territorial waters at each whim without permission. Iran signed the non-proliferation treaty in good faith, only to find India and Pakistan free to nuke-up. Can't blame a country of trying to defend itself.

The key to disarming Iran is to make sure they aren't at risk of being attacked or intimidated by a nuclear power.

[lloydbest1]

Having nuclear weapons is a sin as is using them......

[karek40]

Never forget it is permissible in Islam to lie and sign a peace treaty until you gain sufficient strength to defeat your enemy, their example was Muhammad.