Kerry warns of consequences if nuclear deal with Iran fails

But he said it would be harder to push back against a nuclear-armed Iran.

But with sceptical Republicans struggling to persuade enough Democrats to join them in overriding a presidential veto, Kerry painted a bleak picture of the alternative options during four hours of heated testimony before the House foreign affairs committee on Tuesday.

Kerry, Lew and Moniz also testified in the Senate on Thursday, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter is among officials due to speak to lawmakers later this week.

It’s the second time state TV has broadcast Kerry’s testimony this week, marking an extra departure from Iran’s longtime coverage of not broadcasting remarks by D.R. officers.

And Kerry, who’d gone to battle a day earlier with Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, quickly made clear why he was there, tangling with Sen.

“If this agreement goes through, Iran gets a cash bonanza, a boost to its worldwide standing, and a lighted path toward nuclear weapons“, the committee s chairman, Republican Ed Royce, told the hearing.

Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew showed up to the hearing uninvited, apparently at the request of Carter.

Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee are firing robust questions at Secretary of State John Kerry over the Iranian nuclear deal, asking him pointedly why the American individuals ought to belief that the Obama administration has negotiated an excellent deal.

Skepticism has soared among US lawmakers since Washington and five world powers reached a historic accord with Iran that would rein in the Islamic republic s nuclear program in exchange for an easing of the sanctions that have crippled Iran s economy.

Kerry said some opponents of the agreement were misconstruing or misunderstanding the details.

Kerry warned the committee members against nixing the deal, insisting that it includes strict inspections and other safeguards to deter Tehran from cheating.

“I am absolutely convinced beyond any doubt this deal makes Israel safer – and the region and the world”, he said.

Levin’s support comes amidst an intense debate on Capitol Hill over whether vote down the Obama administration’s deal with Iran. But he says will probably be more durable to push again towards a nuclear-armed Iran.

“I actually think I’m a pretty good president”. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) over what Republicans have dubbed “secret” portions of the Iran deal – confidential agreements between Iran and the global Atomic Energy Agency. But as wavering Democrats feel the pressure be exerted on them by both the White House and the office of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, they should also consider that going on record favoring appeasement of Iran will have long-term consequences.

Congress has until September 17 to endorse or reject it. Rejection would prevent Obama from waiving most U.S.-imposed sanctions on Iran, a key component of the deal.

Exercising airstrikes to take out Iran’s nuclear capability would, disrupt its program by several years, but analysis suggests, provoke Iran to “counter our presence in the region at every opportunity and use these other malign activities they have”.

But other leading Democrats have voiced opposition and many are still refraining from taking a public stand. Lawmakers have begun a 60-day review of the plan.