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Iran nuclear deal: Kerry defends 'only viable option' Iran nuclear deal: Kerry defends 'only viable option'
(about 2 hours 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" for 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. But Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio told him the deal was "fundamentally flawed".
Meanwhile, Iran's president has also been defending last week's accord.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.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. Under the deal, Iran must curb its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Tehran has always insisted its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and energy-related.
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."
The agreement faces strong resistance in Congress, particularly among Republicans, who have until 17 September to make a decision on whether to approve or reject the deal.
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. Six key points about the nuclear crisis
Congress has until 17 September to make a decision on whether to approve or reject the deal. Mr Kerry - along with fellow negotiators, the Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew - faced a great deal of scepticism when they appeared at Thursday's meeting.
Republicans have already said they would oppose it, and a number of Democrats have said they are undecided how to vote. Bob Corker, the committee's Republican chairman, opened the meeting by telling Mr Kerry he had been "fleeced".
Mr Kerry appeared at Thursday's committee meeting with fellow negotiators, the Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew. Marco Rubio said the deal was "fundamentally flawed" and would "weaken our national security and make the world a more dangerous place".
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.
"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".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".
But Mr Kerry said it was a "fantasy" to think the US could have held out for a better deal from Iran.
Separately, two Republicans have complained that Congress has not been given access to "side deals" stuck between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, which allegedly relate to the inspection of a key military site as well as past military activity.
Susan Rice, President Obama's national security adviser, responded by saying the details of those deals "are not public but... we know their contents, we're satisfied with them and we will share the contents of those briefings in full in a classified session with the Congress".