TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Iran has never sought nuclear arms, official IRNA news agency reported.

"Iran has the capability to make nuclear weapon, but, based on its Islamic teaching, it has never been after a nuclear weapon," Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with a group of academic elites in Tehran.

"Nuclear science is beneficial, but since it's not been coupled with a love for humanity, it may lead to nuclear disasters," he was quoted as saying.

Iran signed a landmark nuclear deal with powers in 2015 with the aim of putting an end to the country's controversial nuclear program.