Iranian President Hassan Rohani says his government will never develop nuclear weapons and that he has full authority to negotiate a deal with the West on the disputed nuclear program.
The Iranian leader made the remarks to the U.S. network NBC in an interview aired on September 18.
"In its nuclear program, this government enters with full power and has complete authority," Rouhani said. "We have sufficient political latitude to solve this problem."
Analysts say Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is known to control all important matters of state, including nuclear.
Rohani also said that he received a "positive and constructive" letter from President Barack Obama congratulating him on his election.
The interview on U.S. TV comes ahead of Rohani's scheduled visit to New York next week to take part in the UN General Assembly.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said on September 18 that there were no current plans for Obama to meet Rohani at the UN General Assembly.
"I think it's fair to say that the president believes there is an opportunity for diplomacy when it comes to the issues that have presented challenges to the United States and our allies with regards to Iran," he said. "And we hope that the Iranian government takes advantage of this opportunity."
Carney said the United States will test Rohani's assertions that he wants to improve relations with the international community.
The Iranian leader made the remarks to the U.S. network NBC in an interview aired on September 18.
"In its nuclear program, this government enters with full power and has complete authority," Rouhani said. "We have sufficient political latitude to solve this problem."
Analysts say Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is known to control all important matters of state, including nuclear.
Rohani also said that he received a "positive and constructive" letter from President Barack Obama congratulating him on his election.
The interview on U.S. TV comes ahead of Rohani's scheduled visit to New York next week to take part in the UN General Assembly.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said on September 18 that there were no current plans for Obama to meet Rohani at the UN General Assembly.
"I think it's fair to say that the president believes there is an opportunity for diplomacy when it comes to the issues that have presented challenges to the United States and our allies with regards to Iran," he said. "And we hope that the Iranian government takes advantage of this opportunity."
Carney said the United States will test Rohani's assertions that he wants to improve relations with the international community.