TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s top leader said Monday that he doubts talks aimed at sealing a final deal between Tehran and Western powers over the Islamic Republic’s disputed nuclear program will succeed, a day before the negotiations begin.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he had accepted the talks at the behest of some Iranian leaders, but blamed what he saw as their likely failure on the United States, saying Washington is using the issue as an excuse to pressure the country.