Sanders defends Iran nuclear deal, says alternative is 'war'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A day after speaking by phone with President Barack Obama, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said Sunday he favors the White House's nuclear agreement with Iran to the alternative -- war with Iran.

On CBS' Face the Nation Sunday, the independent Vermont senator described why the agreement with Tehran makes sense -- and why it would not have made sense to go on without one.

"Look, I'm not going to tell you that this is a perfect agreement," he said on CBS News' Sunday morning show. "But the United States has to negotiate with other countries. We have to negotiate with Iran.

"And the alternative of not reaching an agreement, you know what it is? It's war. Do we really want ... a war with Iran? Asymmetrical warfare that will take place all over this world, threaten American troops?"

Sanders may be the highest profile candidate yet to openly support Obama's agreement with Iran, which puts the country's nuclear program on a peaceful track in exchange for lifting of economic sanctions against Tehran.

A controversial accord, the deal has drawn substantial criticism since it was agreed to last month. Thursday, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., voiced his opposition to the agreement.

Sanders said the deal deserves a fair shake and encouraged voters and lawmakers to give it one.

"I think we go as far as we possibly can in trying to give peace a chance, if you like," Sanders said. "Trying to see if this agreement will work. And I will support it."

Sanders, an independent in the senate, gives the Democrats a valuable vote needed to avert a possible congressional rejection of the deal.