Iran's presidential candidates disagree on nuclear talks with world powers in TV debate

TEHRAN, Iran – 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 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.