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| Iran nuclear deal: Kerry defends 'only viable option' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry has defended a nuclear deal with Iran, calling it the "only viable option" to a peaceful resolution of the issue. | |
| He told the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee: "We set out to dismantle [Iran's] ability to build a nuclear weapon and we achieved that." | |
| Mr Kerry is expected to face tough questions as Congress reviews the deal over the coming weeks. | |
| Many Republicans say last week's accord conceded too much to Iran. | |
| Opponents within Congress could reject the agreement, although President Obama could veto their decision. | Opponents within Congress could reject the agreement, although President Obama could veto their decision. |
| Negotiations between Iran and six world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - began in 2006. | Negotiations between Iran and six world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - began in 2006. |
| The powers suspected Iran of pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons programme, but Tehran has always insisted its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes. | |
| Scepticism | Scepticism |
| As part of the deal, Iran has agreed to rein in its nuclear activity and accept a mechanism for inspections by nuclear officials in return for the lifting of international sanctions. | As part of the deal, Iran has agreed to rein in its nuclear activity and accept a mechanism for inspections by nuclear officials in return for the lifting of international sanctions. |
| But those sanctions cannot be lifted while Congress is discussing the deal - until 17 September at the earliest. | But those sanctions cannot be lifted while Congress is discussing the deal - until 17 September at the earliest. |
| Thursday's committee meeting gives Mr Kerry - along with Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew - the chance to make a case to lawmakers to pass the deal. | |
| But the three cabinet officials are likely to encounter some tough questioning with committee members wanting more detail on the provision of inspections and lifting of sanctions. | |
| Could US Congress torpedo the deal? | Could US Congress torpedo the deal? |
| A good deal, for now? | A good deal, for now? |
| Iran: Now a business opportunity? | Iran: Now a business opportunity? |
| Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the foreign relations committee, opened the meeting by telling Mr Kerry that he had expertly prepared the ground for Iran to build a nuclear weapon. | |
| "I believe you've been fleeced," he told him. | |
| House Speaker John Boehner has already vowed Republicans would "do everything possible to stop" the agreement. | House Speaker John Boehner has already vowed Republicans would "do everything possible to stop" the agreement. |
| Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said: "It's always the administration, not Congress, that carries the burden of proof in a debate of this nature. | Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said: "It's always the administration, not Congress, that carries the burden of proof in a debate of this nature. |
| "And it seems the administration... has a long way to go with Democrats and Republicans alike". | |
| A number of Democrats have said they do not know how they will vote, including Ben Cardin, the committee's most senior Democrat, who said he had "many areas of concern". | |