Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami has pledged the Islamic Republic will never develop nuclear weapons, calling for the crisis over Iran's nuclear program to be settled through talks.

"Iran will never go for nuclear weapons," Khatami told a media conference in New Delhi, according to the Indian Express newspaper.

"Weapons of mass destruction have never been our objective."

Iran has always been ready to give an "objective guarantee" on its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and the issue should be solved "through negotiations", he added.

According to Khatami, the "sensitive" region, which is already facing many problems over Iraq and Palestine, does not need another crisis.

Khatami reiterated that Iran was pursuing its nuclear energy program to meet its energy requirements.

"We have a huge reserve of oil and natural gas but it won't last long. Many countries in the world see fossil fuels as harmful and are looking for replacements."

"Nuclear energy is the most accessible form of energy. We must also make use of wind and solar energy," said Khatami.

Khatami was on a two-day visit to India to attend a conference dubbed "Challenges for the Brave New World".

FK/BG