Iranian presidential candidates debate talks with West
Former and current nuclear negotiators trade barbs in televised eight-way debate between competing politicians
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The eight candidates running in Iran’s June 14 presidential election disagree on how they would handle nuclear talks with world powers.
The eight debated their views in a third, final TV debate on Friday. The four-hour debate was devoted to foreign policy and domestic issues.
Two of the candidates — centrist Hasan Rowhani who was Iran’s former nuclear negotiator and Saeed Jalili, the current negotiator — traded harsh accusations.
Rowhani accused Jalili of following a hard-line policy that brought about punishing sanctions over Iran’s controversial nuclear program and led to the country’s international isolation.
Jalili said Rowhani’s fear of the West and his weakness led to the temporary shutdown of Iran’s nuclear program in 2003.
The upcoming election will choose a successor to outgoing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
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