US Republican says Iran deal makes world 'less safe'

WASHINGTON: A top Republican from the US Congress on Saturday blasted the Iran nuclear deal as "deeply flawed" and said the agreement would make the world "less safe."

Congress is due to vote next month on whether to endorse the deal reached in July between Iran and six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

But Republicans are deeply opposed, saying the deal makes too many concessions to Iran and does so at the expense of the security of America and its allies.

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"If this agreement goes through, Iran gets a cash bonanza, a boost to its international standing, and a path toward nuclear weapons," said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce in the Republicans' weekly address.

"This deal is deeply flawed. It makes the world less safe. We can - and must - do better," he added.

Royce recently introduced a resolution that prevents implementation of the agreement. The House of Representatives will vote on the matter next month.

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If the Republican-dominated Congress passes a resolution against the deal, President Barack Obama is expected to veto that move, though the administration would like to avoid such a scenario.

Momentum appears to be growing in support of the deal, with Senate Democrat Tom Carper announcing Friday that he supports it, putting the pro-Obama camp at 30.

The Democrats need 34 supporters in the Senate to uphold Obama's expected veto.