President Obama is vigorously defending the Iran nuclear deal. Speaking at American University, the President called it a very good deal. He insisted that it will block all of Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon. The accord also lifts tough international sanctions on Iran.

Obama portrayed it as a choice between diplomacy and some form of war. He argued that Iran's path to a nuclear weapon would be accelerated if the U.S. walks away from the deal. The stakes are high for the President and his legacy. Obama said U.S. credibility on the world stage is also at stake.

Obama said many of the deal's harshest critics were some of the strongest advocates for invading Iraq in 2003. He also accused some critics of condemning the deal before they read it. The President scoffed at critics who said the U.S. and allies should go back and get "a better deal." He insisted that the accord will be good for U.S. national security and good for the security of Israel. The Iran accord faces a tough road in the Republican-led Congress. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the deal next month after finishing a two-month review.

The President argued that the accord is the strongest nonproliferation deal that has ever been negotiated. Under terms of the deal, Iran will be allowed to continue developing nuclear energy. Obama opened his speech by citing an historic address at American University more than 50-years ago. At that time, President John F. Kennedy warned about nuclear proliferation at the height of the Cold War.  (Metro Networks Inc.)

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