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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Iran nuclear deal: Kerry defends 'only viable option' | Iran nuclear deal: Kerry defends 'only viable option' |
| (35 minutes 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" to 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. | Mr Kerry is expected to face tough questions as Congress reviews the deal over the coming weeks. |
| Many Republicans say last week's accord conceded too much to Iran. | Many Republicans say last week's accord conceded too much to Iran. |
| Negotiations between Iran and six world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - began in 2006. | Negotiations between Iran and six world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - began in 2006. |
| The powers suspected Iran of pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons programme, but Tehran has always insisted its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes. | The powers suspected Iran of pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons programme, but Tehran has always insisted its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes. |
| Scepticism | Scepticism |
| 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. | |
| "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." | |
| 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. | |
| Congress has until 17 September to make a decision on whether to approve or reject the deal. | |
| Republicans have already said they would oppose it, and a number of Democrats have said they are undecided how to vote. | |
| Thursday's committee meeting gives Mr Kerry - along with Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew - the chance to make a case to lawmakers to pass the deal. | |
| But the three cabinet officials are likely to encounter some tough questioning with committee members wanting more detail on the provision of inspections and lifting of sanctions. | |
| 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. | "I believe you've been fleeced," he told him. |