President Obama said the historic nuclear deal between world powers and Iran "demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring real and meaningful change" and ensures that "every pathway to a nuclear weapon is cut off."
"Today, because America negotiated from a position of strength and principle we have stopped the spread of nuclear weapons in this region," Obama said Tuesday in a statement from the White House.
He said he welcomes a debate in Congress on the deal, but warned lawmakers that he would veto any legislation that prevents a successful implementation of this deal.
"I remind Congress, you don't make deals like this with your friends," Obama said.
Iran and world powers reached the agreement early Tuesday for Tehran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions. Tehran has been negotiating with the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China for years, with diplomats extending a series of deadlines in hopes of arriving at a workable plan.
The comprehensive agreement — which runs more than 80 pages — capped negotiations and overcame stiff opposition from close U.S. allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia, who say Iran cannot be trusted with a nuclear program of any kind.
Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called the agreement a "historic moment" and a "win-win solution" that could usher in a "new chapter of hope" in relations between Tehran and the West.
