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Iran nuclear deal: Kerry defends 'only viable option' 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.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."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.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. Meanwhile, Iran's president has also been defending last week's accord.
Hassan Rouhani, in a speech broadcast live on television, said the deal represented "a new page in history" and was wanted by the Iranian people.
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. The powers suspected Iran of pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons programme, but Tehran has always insisted its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and energy-related.
ScepticismScepticism
Mr Kerry told the committee hearing that the US administration came to the negotiating table with one clear objective - to address the issue of nuclear weapons.Mr Kerry told the committee hearing that the US administration came to the negotiating table with one clear objective - to address the issue of nuclear weapons.
He said that it was pointless to insist on dismantling Iran's whole nuclear programme as it already had experience in nuclear technology and enough fissile material to build 10-12 nuclear bombs. He said that it was pointless to insist on dismantling Iran's whole nuclear programme, as it already had experience in nuclear technology and enough fissile material to build 10-12 nuclear bombs.
"The choice we face is between an agreement that will ensure Iran's nuclear programme is limited, rigorously scrutinised and wholly peaceful - or no deal at all.""The choice we face is between an agreement that will ensure Iran's nuclear programme is limited, rigorously scrutinised and wholly peaceful - or no deal at all."
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?
As part of the deal reached earlier this month, 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 reached earlier this month, 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.
Congress has until 17 September to make a decision on whether to approve or reject the deal.Congress has until 17 September to make a decision on whether to approve or reject the deal.
Republicans have already said they would oppose it, and a number of Democrats have said they are undecided how to vote.Republicans have already said they would oppose it, and a number of Democrats have said they are undecided how to vote.
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. Mr Kerry appeared at Thursday's committee meeting with fellow negotiators, the Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.
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. But they faced a great deal of scepticism from committee members.
Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, opened the meeting by telling Mr Kerry that the deal simply prepared the ground for Iran to build a nuclear weapon.Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, opened the meeting by telling Mr Kerry that the deal simply prepared the ground for Iran to build a nuclear weapon.
"I believe you've been fleeced," he told him."I believe you've been fleeced," he told him.
Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio told him the deal was "fundamentally flawed" and would "weaken our national security and make the world a more dangerous place".
He said under the deal, Iran would still be able to build long-range ballistic missiles "that know only one purpose and that is for nuclear warfare" and would provide billions "to a regime that... directly threatens the interests of the United States and our allies".