Iran says atom bombs are 'against Islam'

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Khamenei said Islam forbids weapons of mass destruction. Iran maintains its nuclear work is only for peaceful purposes like energy generation.

"Repeating absurd words about the building of nuclear weapons in Iran shows that the enemies are resorting to repeating the propaganda out of ultimate failure," he said.

"We've said time and again that our religious principles and beliefs consider such weapons to be a symbol of destruction that is forbidden. Because of this reason, we don't have any belief in the atomic bomb and don't pursue it."

His remarks came the day after the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had either resumed work on nuclear weapons, or had never even stopped in spite of assurances.

Khamenei, wearing clerical robes and a turban and walking with a cane, spoke after being given a tour of the country's latest destroyer launched at a Gulf port.

State TV, which broadcast the event, said the warship was the country's first domestically-built destroyer.

Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, is also the commander in chief of Iran's armed forces.