Administration briefs senators on Iran deal

Ahead of vote on nuclear agreement, John Kerry, Ernest Moniz and Jack Lew face tough questions from Foreign Relations Committee

By AP 23 July 2015, 5:34 pm 0 Edit

Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, addresses a session on the nuclear deal with Iran, in Washington on Thursday, July 23, 2015 (screen capture: YouTube)

A trio of Obama administration officials were stalwart Thursday behind the Iranian nuclear deal despite deep concern on Capitol Hill that Iran will try to evade nuclear inspectors and use billions from sanctions relief to further destabilize the Middle East.

Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were posing tough questions to Secretary of State John Kerry, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew about the deal that Congress is expected to vote on in September.

The three were on Capitol Hill Wednesday for back-to-back classified briefings in the House and the Senate.

A debate is under way between supporters and the opposition, which includes many Jewish groups that point to Iran’s pledge to destroy Israel.

Vote counters are eyeing Democrats, especially those who represent large Jewish constituencies and likely will be lobbied hard to oppose the deal at home during the August recess.