Obama calls Corker to discuss Iran nuke deal

The Republican senator is pushing a bill to require Congress to approve the agreement, though Obama promises to veto it

By AP 8 April 2015, 10:36 pm Edit

Senator Bob Corker, R-TN (photo credit:: CC BY-SA, byUS Congress, Wikimedia Commons)

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama and Senator Bob Corker have discussed the tentative agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program.

Corker, a Tennessee Republican and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, is pushing legislation to require Congress to approve the deal.

Obama objects to the bill and has promised to veto it.

Josh Earnest, the president’s spokesman, says Obama called Corker on Wednesday to discuss the commitments Iran had made to limit its nuclear program.

Earnest says Obama praised Corker’s handling of the issue and reiterated that the emerging deal is the best way to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The tentative agreement has to be finalized by June 30.

Corker’s office confirmed the telephone call but declined to discuss details.