Republican lawmakers accused US Secretary of State John Kerry of having been "fleeced" and "bamboozled" by Iran as he tried to fend off critics of the landmark nuclear agreement hammered out by the world's major powers with Iran.
Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he once chaired as a Democratic senator, on Thursday, Kerry defended the nuclear accord amid loud disapproval especially from Republicans who dominate Congress, which has until Sept. 17 to approve or reject the deal.
Kerry continued defending the accord on Friday, saying it would be a huge mistake if Israel decided to launch an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in the future.
In an NBC Today show interview, Kerry was asked if the nuclear accord reached last week would make it more likely for Israel to attempt a military attack on Tehran.
"That'd be an enormous mistake, a huge mistake with grave consequences for Israel and for the region, and I don't think it's necessary," Kerry answered.
Speaking in another forum on Friday, Kerry warned that if Congress rejects the deal, Israel could be in a worse situation. "I fear that what could happen is if Congress were to overturn it, our friends in Israel could actually wind up being more isolated and more blamed," Kerry told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York.
"We would lose Europe and China and Russia with respect to whatever military action we might have to take because we will have turned our backs on a very legitimate program that allows us to put their program to the test over these next years," he said.
During his Senate appearance on Thursday, Kerry maintained that the Vienna blueprint, which he described as a "good deal for the world" worthy of US congressional approval, is the best option set out in the table to limit Iran's nuclear programme.
"The truth is that the Vienna plan will provide a stronger, more comprehensive, more lasting means of limiting Iran's nuclear programme than any alternative that has been spoken of," said Kerry of the deal reached in the Austrian capital as he stood before a sceptical Senate panel.
The accord would put Iran under "intense scrutiny forever" and ensure that its nuclear activities "remain wholly peaceful," he said.
"We believe this is a good deal for the world, a good deal for America, a good deal for our allies and friends in the region—and we think it does deserve your support."
However, Republicans stood their ground, unmoved by Kerry's arguments.
"I believe you've been fleeced," said committee chairman Republican Sen. Bob Corker.
The lawmaker contended that the Vienna agreement would give Iran "a perfectly aligned pathway" in its goal to become a nuclear power.
"With all due respect, you guys have been bamboozled and the American people are going to pay for that," said another Republican senator, James Risch.
"Anybody who believes this is a good deal really joins the ranks of the most naive people on the face of the Earth," Risch said.
Meanwhile, thousands of people including right-wing Jewish and Christian Zionist groups, gathered in New York City on Thursday to oppose the nuclear agreement, urging lawmakers to block the deal for fear that it will endanger Israel and the world.
"We're here as Americans to speak with one voice to say stop Iran now, reject this deal," said ex-Republican governor of New York George Pataki. "This is a God-awful deal, this must be rejected. Congress must do its job and stand up for the American people, stand up for our safety and say no to this Iranian deal."
