"Those who strive towards the possession of nuclear weapons are putting the brakes on world political processes. If nuclear weapons really were effective in the current global situation, then the possession of thousands of nuclear warheads would have prevented the downfall of the Soviet Union," he said.
Although Ahmadinejad comments came in a speech to a group of Iranian exiles in New York, his words closely echoed an opinion voiced during his interview on a '60 Minutes' program, aired Sunday in the U.S.
Western countries suspect Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but the Islamic Republic says its nuclear program is transparent, and in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, as well as under the control of the UN nuclear watchdog.
Ahmadinejad also commented that the nuclear arsenals belonging to the states that invaded Iraq "were unable to save them from the Iraqi swamp."
He reiterated that Iran does not intend to build nuclear weapons.
Iran recently intensified cooperation with the IAEA, and invited weapons inspectors to visit a 40-MW heavy water reactor in Arak in late July.
Iran has defied three consecutive UN resolutions against its nuclear program since last year. The six negotiating countries have demanded that Tehran suspend all uranium enrichment before negotiating a solution to the dispute.
President Ahmadinejad is currently in New York, where he will address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
