Top US negotiator defends conclusion of Iran nuclear talks

US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has defended the conclusion of nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers amid strong criticisms over the historic agreement.

“We are better off forever in terms of Iranian nuclear activity under this agreement than we would be without it,” he said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.

“There’s a lot more you need for a nuclear explosive and if you look at the agreement you will see an indefinite commitment to not pursuing four major activities needed for a weapon,” Moniz added.

Washington and its five negotiating partners concluded the nuclear negotiations with Iran in Vienna on July 14.

Iran sanctions are set to be removed in exchange for some limitations on the country’s nuclear energy program.

The US State Department announced on Sunday that Congress would have 60 days from Monday to review the text of the agreement.

President Barack Obama is under fire for putting an end to the nuclear talks and reaching a “bad deal” with Iran.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton on Sunday called on Congress to reject the agreement.

“The alternative is for Congress to reject this deal and demand a better deal, send our negotiators back to the table with the threat of both tougher sanctions and military force and get a better deal for the American people,” he said.

John Barrasso, another Republican senator, described the agreement as a "mistake" by "desperate" Obama.

“I think it was an absolute mistake and a concession and almost a surrender by the president to get any deal signed,” he told Fox News. “When you’re so desperate or eager to make a deal, sometimes you make decisions and concessions that should not be made.”

Moniz also noted that the current administration is trying to clean up a mess left by the administration of former president George W. Bush.

"The issue of Iran having a nuclear program was already established in the previous administration,” he said. "Clearly, what we have done is we have dramatically limited and constrained the program."