White House Under Pressure over Iranian Deal

There's growing pressure Tuesday on the White House's so-called "historic understanding" with Iran.

Congress is pressing for a final review on any nuclear deal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls it "dangerous." Even President Barack Obama has admitted that finalizing any deal will be extremely difficult.

The president said the framework for the potential deal allows unprecedented inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities, cuts its supply of nuclear fuel, and limits its ability to produce highly enriched uranium.

It also gives relief from crippling economic sanctions, but how those sanctions would end is an important issue.

The sanctions have hurt Iran's economy, and Iran wants them lifted immediately, but the United States and its allies are pushing for a slow process that could take months or even years before the sanctions come off.

And despite the president's promises last week, the White House admits that several key sticking points remain before a final agreement, slated for June 30, can be reached.

Meanwhile, Congress is calling for a final say on any deal.

"It's very important that Congress is in the middle of this, understanding, teasing out, asking those important questions," Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said.

Corker has the support of a key Democrat. Politico reports that Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., likely the next leader of the Democrats in the Senate, strongly endorses the passage of a bill that would allow Congress to consider and possibly reject any agreement with Iran.

Other Democrats also support the bill, as do many Republicans. But the White House is pushing back.

"It is the responsibility of the president, any president of the United States, to conduct foreign policy of the United States of America," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. "There is a concerted effort in Congress to undermine the negotiations or undermine the implementation of the agreement."

Israel, meanwhile, is voicing major concerns about the proposed deal. The framework agreement does not require Iran to stop threatening Israel nor recognize its right to exist.

"It endangers the region, endangers the world, it endangers everyone listening to me right now," Netanyahu said.

One day after the president announced the framework agreement, leaders in Tehran led prayers chanting "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" -- another point critics are raising as several questions remain about any deal over Iran's potentially deadly nuclear program.