Kerry seeks to clear up ‘misinterpretations’

US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, says he’s there to clear up “misinterpretations” and “public distortions,” on the deal.

He says conclusions have been drawn that “don’t match reality,” and he is “happy” to clarify.

He says that the deal is “forever.”

“Bottom line, if Iran fails to comply with the terms of the agreement… we will quickly know it and we will be able to respond accordingly with every option available to us today,” he says.

He says there is “no sunset” to verification of Iran’s nuclear activity.

When negotiations began, Iran had enough enriched uranium for 10-12 bombs, he says.

If we reject deal, this is what we go back to, he says.

Kerry reiterates that there’s no alternative “unicorn” deal to the one reached between Iran and world powers.

“Let me underscore – the alternative to the deal we’ve reached isn’t a better deal – some sort of unicorn arrangement involving Iran’s complete capitulation. That’s a fantasy – plain and simple,” says Kerry. “The choice we face is between a deal that will ensure Iran’s nuclear program is limited, rigorously scrutinized, and wholly peaceful – or no deal at all.”

He says dismantlement didn’t happen under Bush.

And he says “no one is counting the two years that Iran has complied with the interim nuclear deal.”