Iran's president says Tehran is not interested in building a nuclear bomb, but will not be stopped by the West if it desires to create one.

State television quoted President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday as saying his government would tell the world if it was working on a nuclear weapon.

Mr. Ahmadinejad's comments are the latest in a long series of denials from Tehran about its nuclear aims. Iran says its nuclear projects are for peaceful purposes.

On Tuesday, Iran's nuclear energy chief met with the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog in Vienna.

Fereidoun Abbasi said he had a “good” discussion with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano.

Amano has been critical of Iran's suspected nuclear aims. Earlier this month, he said Iran may have carried out nuclear work with possible military purposes. He also chastised the country for not cooperating with international nuclear experts.

The meeting was part of a week-long conference on nuclear safety.

Western nations believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons capability under the cover of a civilian energy program. Tehran denies the allegations.