Pushing back on critics of Iran deal, Obama says US can’t shun diplomacy, peaceful solutions

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is pushing back at critics of an interim nuclear deal the U.S. and world powers struck with Iran.

Obama says the U.S. cannot close the door to diplomacy or rule out peaceful solutions to the world’s problems. Speaking in San Francisco, he says that wouldn’t be right for America’s security.

The president said Monday that America’s commitment to peace and diplomacy is what makes the nation a beacon to the world. He says the goal is what people can build together, not what they can criticize.

Some U.S. lawmakers are criticizing the deal because they say it’s too soft on Iran. Israel and other U.S. allies are also expressing major doubts.