President Obama has begun a campaign to defend the Iran nuclear deal ahead of an upcoming congressional vote. On Wednesday, Obama told reporters the deal was the only alternative to a nuclear arms race and more war in the Middle East.

President Obama: “With this deal, we have the possibility of peacefully resolving a major threat to regional and international security. Without a deal, we risk even more war in the Middle East, and other countries in the region would feel compelled to pursue their own nuclear programs, threatening a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world.”