Iran's supreme leader said Wednesday he supports negotiations over his country's nuclear program, but asserted Iran has limits to the concessions it can make in exchange for an easing of the sanctions, The Associated Press reported. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also criticized Israel as being "the rabid dog" committed to tarnishing Iran's reputation. French President Francois Hollande said Khamenei's remarks were "unacceptable," adding they only complicate the nuclear talks beginning later Wednesday in Geneva, spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said. Khamenei, speaking before a paramilitary group in Tehran, aimed to appease hardliners and show his support for the Iranian negotiators. Western diplomats reported progress during a previous round of talks and now hope to reach an accord that would halt Iran's nuclear efforts while negotiators pursue a more comprehensive agreement that would ensure that Tehran's nuclear program is solely for civilian
