President Obama is accusing his Republican opponents of finding "common cause" with hardliners in Iran.
He spoke after 47 Republicans in Congress sent a letter to the Iranian leadership, warning them that any nuclear deal Tehran strikes with the United States could be undone after the next American election.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks says it's the latest source of tension between the White House and Republicans on Capitol Hill.
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Just days after they swooned over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech on Capitol Hill warning of the perils of the Iran nuclear deal….the Republicans were at it again.
Their letter to Tehran, which infuriated the Obama administration, posited that senior Iranian government figures don't understand the US Constitution….and the vital role that Congress plays.
The Republicans argue that any agreement President Obama strikes with Iran should legally be considered a treaty…and therefore a document that requires ratification by Congress.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas authored the letter to Iran…and denied on CNN that it's an unprecedented attempt to limit a President's foreign policy authority.
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The White House has long-argued that the agreement with Iran will not constitute a "treaty" and therefore will not require Congressional approval.
So, in their letter, the Republicans warn Tehran that - quote - "the next President could revoke the agreement with the stroke of a pen".
The letter also points out that many of the Republicans who have signed it will remain in office "well beyond" President Obama's departure from the White House…."perhaps", it says, "decades".
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The current occupant of the Oval Office was not amused…President Obama offering reporters what his spokesman called a "forceful" rebuttal of the Republican initiative.
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For their part, the Iranians said they would ignore the Republicans' letter.
The Iranian foreign minister, Javad Zarif, called it a propaganda ploy.
And he issued a warning of his own to the Republicans…saying that if they were to revoke the agreement that is still being negotiated….they will have committed a "blatant violation of international law".
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President & Chief Correspondent
Feature Story News
1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 405
Washington DC 20036 USA
Phone: + 1 202 296 9012
Websites: www.featurestory.com and www.simonmarks.com
Twitter: @simonmarksfsn <http://www.twitter.com/simonmarksfsn>
President & Chief Correspondent
Feature Story News
1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 405
Washington DC 20036 USA
Phone: + 1 202 296 9012
Websites: www.featurestory.com and www.simonmarks.com
Twitter: @simonmarksfsn <http://www.twitter.com/simonmarksfsn>