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Roundup: Obama, U.S. Congress at odds on Iran nuclear deal

Xinhua, July 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday urged the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress to ratify the deal reached over the Iranian nuclear issue between Iran and six major world powers, and threatened to veto if Congress prevented the deal's successful implementation.

The comprehensive agreement was clinched between Iran and the P5 Plus One group -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany -- after more than two weeks of bargaining in Austria's capital, Vienna.

"I believe it would be irresponsible to walk away from the deal, but on such a tough issue, it is important that the American people and the representatives in Congress get a full opportunity to review the deal," Obama, a Democrat, said in an early-morning address at the White House.

"I am confident that this deal will meet the national security interests of the United States and our allies, so I will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of this deal."

The U.S. Congress has 60 days to review and vote on the Iran nuclear agreement.

However, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner said Tuesday the nuclear deal will "embolden" Iran and trigger "an atomic arms race."

Boehner warned that the deal will hand Iran billions of dollars worth of sanctions relief while giving it space to develop a nuclear bomb.

He noted that lawmakers will "review every detail of this agreement very closely." He said that he would not back any deal "that jeopardizes the safety of the American people and all who value freedom and security".

"This isn't about Republican versus Democrats. It's about right and wrong," he said, "And we will fight a bad deal that is wrong for our national security and wrong fro our country."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also said Obama approached the negotiations from a "flawed perspective."

McConnell said the Congress will hold hearings on the deal, in particular to study the "concessions" that was made by the Obama administration. Endi