Iran candidate vows ‘constructive’ diplomacy

Former nuclear negotiator strikes moderate tone, says he’ll seek better relations with the West

11 April 2013, 2:32 pm

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Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,casts his ballot for the parliamentary runoff elections, in Tehran, last May (photo credit: AP/Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A potential front-runner in Iran’s presidential race is suggesting he would seek better relations with the West in efforts to lessen international showdowns.

Hasan Rohani, Iran’s former nuclear negotiator, apparently sought to stake out a moderate tone for the June election to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He is considered a possible leading candidate because of his centrist views and close ties to the ruling clerics.

Rohani told a rally on Thursday that he would seek “constructive interaction with the world” in an apparent reference to Western nations, which have increased sanctions in bids to rein in Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran’s president, however, has little direct say in foreign policy, which is directed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Rohani has been one of Khamenei’s representatives in the Supreme National Security Council.