Iranian Candidate: Current Nuke Talks ‘Fruitless’

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – A former commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard now running for president says current nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers are at a hopeless deadlock.

Mohsen Rezaei vowed at a news conference Tuesday to change the dialogue’s course, calling the present effort “fruitless” because of tightening international sanctions.

Iran’s nuclear program is a central issue in the June 14 election to pick a successor for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. All eight hopefuls – who include Iran’s top nuclear negotiator – back Tehran’s nuclear program, but differ on strategies for talks with the five permanent U.N. Security Council plus Germany.

The comments by Rezaei reflect some of the most hard-line positions. But he gave no details on his proposals.

The West fears Iran is seeking weapon technology – a charge Iran denies.