TEHRAN -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the production of nuclear weapons runs contrary to the tenets of Islam and national interests.

In a meeting with Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov and his delegation, the Supreme Leader said that the Iranian nation and government have a friendly attitude toward the Tajik people and Iran will never withhold any assistance for the progress and development of Tajikistan.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that Iran and Tajikistan have a common culture, religion, history, and language, adding that the three Persian-speaking nations of Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan are expected to promote the Persian language in order to elevate their international status.

He went on to say that the Iranian and Tajik people have longstanding ties and many affinities and that political and economic cooperation should be expanded by implementing the accords signed by the two countries.

The Supreme Leader stated that Iran has made significant achievements in science and technology and would soon establish training courses for specialists and researchers from Tajikistan.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iran’s progress in the field of nuclear technology is a clear example of the great strides of Iranian scientists over the past few years, adding that the current propaganda campaign against the Iranian nuclear program aims to play down the talent of Iran’s young scientists.

The Supreme Leader lauded Iranian scientists for their advances in the civilian application of nuclear energy and noted that the UN nuclear body has acknowledged that Iran has become a member of the world’s nuclear club.

"We are not seeking nuclear weapons. Western states are well aware that manufacturing nuclear weapons runs contrary to the political and economic interests of the nation and is a violation of the tenets of Islam," he added.

"Through reliance on its principles, the Islamic Republic of Iran will proceed with scientific studies, regardless of the hue and cry, and the world cannot affect Iran’s national resolve," the Supreme Leader said.

For his part, President Rakhmonov said that Tehran and Dushanbe have developed satisfactory cooperation and he expects Iran to share its experiences with Tajikistan to enhance the level of cooperation.

He noted that he held fruitful negotiations with Iranian officials in Tehran and hoped that the visit would help expand bilateral cooperation.

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad also attended the meeting.