>> looking for support. president obama is trying to sell the iranian nuclear deal to congress and he'll make his case to the american people in just moments in a white house news conference. this is al jazeera america. live from new york city. i'm david shuster. we start this hour with a live picture of the east room in the

white house. in just a few minutes president obama is expected to hold a news conference. the primary topic is the nuclear deal with iran. the deal has generated intense criticism from israel and many say they're deeply concerned. mitch mcconnell said that hearings will start soon. tomorrow the president is scheduled to visit a federal prison and it's possible that the president will get a question or two about the 2016 presidential campaign and perhaps whether he would like to see his vice president joe biden enter the democratic presidential race. the presidential news conference is scheduled to start in just a

few minutes. as we wait michael shure joins us live from the white sox. michael, the president faces the biggest political fight in terms of the foreign policy, what is the strategy of the news conference today? >> i think the strategy is taking the case for this deal to the american people. he's taking it to the iranians. he's taken it to the p5+1. he has taken it to the gulf states. he spoke with netanyahu and king salman of the saudi arabia. he's talking about why he thinks it's the right thing at this time and he's waiting for a little bit of feedback from him. we've heard everything from the congress. we've heard everything from the his or her state, but now it's time to hear from the people. >> we'll keep michael shure standing by on the north lawn. we'll go to capitol hill where lisa stark is there.

vice president biden was there to talk about talking about the deal. >> well, he was on the hill today. the first of a series of a lot of meetings as members try to digest this deal and figure out what they want to do about it. the meet willing last an hour and a half. it was packed. it was behind closed doors. that was 207 member strong. many if not most of them showed up. on the way in to the meet vice president biden explained what he hoped to accomplish. here is the vice president. >> i'm here to explain what the deal is. >> now as we said that meeting will last about an hour and a half. and it focused a lot on the specifics.

>> the politics of this, the president's prison teach. none of that. this was explaining the terms and technicalities of this deal, and why it's in america's best interest to support the deal. he said we'll have to make the ultimate judgment, and we respect your judgments. >> now he told lawmakers that he was skeptical when negotiations began. he said it might not be the best deal but that this is something that they should support he made the best case possible. but israel said that he's still skeptical and he's on the democratic side. we've heard criticism from the presence too. >> lisa stark as we wait for president obama to step in for his news conference. one follow up for you. what is the process for capitol hill. when will the hearing start?

>> there is a 60-day review period. that a likely to happen this week. then there will be hearings on the house and senate side to go over the deal. there will be strategy sessions and closed door meetings. i'm sure we'll see the secretary of state come up to the hill. the energy secretary to brief members of congress, and then after they go away for their august recess they take a little break they'll be coming back. and when there are votes it will be in september. and the house and senate have three options. they can pass a resolution of approval. they can pass a resolution of disapproval or they can decide they're not going to vote at all. what this will do is try to stop the president of lifting u.s. sanctions against iran. they do control the purse

strings, if you will, in this way. as you know, david, president obama made it clear yesterday that he will veto the focus will be on trying to find enough democrats to sustain that presidential veto if it comes to that. >> and lisa stark. we'll send it over to michael shure at the white house. how confident is the obama administration that assuming the republicans pass a resolution that would ban a lifting of sanctions the president vetoes that. how confident is the white house that the president will get snuff democratic support to sustain his veto? >> they're quite confident david. i've spoken to house democrats who feel that way as well. the easy vote here, i've been told, the easy vote is to vote against this, and leave it to the white house to veto it. they don't feel that there is enough to override the veto. again, as lisa said and explained so clearly this is going to be a process. you're going to see secretaries

come up to the hill. you're going to have the back and forth in congress. and you have the people from the administration lobbying personally members of congress. they want this to be a little cleaner than having to veto something that congress sends back to them. >> michael shure sometimes it's difficult to read the tea leaves in terms of what they're going to ask in the press conference. let's assume that you had an opportunity to ask a question that was not related to iran and related to the presidential campaign. what would you ask the president? >> you stole my question. i would ask if they want joe biden to run for president. but in point of fact he's doing some serious work as he laid out yesterday at the naacp convention. he's doing serious work in criminal justice. he's visiting a prison. i want to know what he wants to get out of that, and if he feels consensus. late last night center patrick leahy of vermont and senator grassley from iowa, each issued

statements in support of the criminal justice reform that the president is calling for. that consensus, i want to know if he feels it on that issue and if he feels that it would be contagious. >> standing by on the north lawn of the white house. as we wait for president obama's news conference to begin in the east room of the white house let's bring in our guest the executive director of the iranian council here. amid. what do you think of the deal with iran? >> i think it's a major break through as it has been said because it brings the end of 12 years of negotiations, and basically discussions over iran's abraham and this is in the framework of the world powers and includes the united states and iran. and the it brings about the most comprehensive arms control treaty ever being agreed to. and i hope it will lead to some

trust, verification that iran's nuclear program remains peaceful. >> there are phrases about necessity in terms of necessity to inspect particular nuclear sites. i had a guest on, and he asked him, and i said suppose there was a scenario that iran does not want the inspectors to go some place under the arrangement there is an armier by trace campbell, and suppose the arbitration panel says no, the inspectors should be allowed in there will iran accept that? >> that's a very good question. this is to make sure that there is much eched. what you're referring to is non-nuclear science. perhaps military science and

would become national security issue. but the iranians have indicated if there is reliable evidence from the iaea governing board shows that there is some diversion, iran will not be able to stop them. but at the end of the day does iran want to play ball in this negotiations and going forward in this deal, it makes a big difference for the iranian economy, and for its place in international community. so it would be very unlikely for them just to say no. we would have to see what are the reasons and how reliable is the evidence that the iaea is going to showcase in regards to a diversion. there is snap-back agreements components within the agreement if iran is seen in violation of this agreement then these sanctions can be snapped back. >> if five of the eight representatives on that sort of international board were to agree. you mentioned that the idea of this deal, and the president of

course is we're waiting for the president to speak as he begins the process of selling this deal to the american people. do you get a sense from people you're talking to in iran about the fundamental question of the president seems to be bet on is this is going to reset relakeses between iran and the west. it's not just about a nuclear deal this may pave the way for diplomacy, and a whole whose of other issues. even among the obama administration there is skepticism of that, whether iran will want to establish relations in all these different areas. do you have a sense? >> that's a very complex question. remember the iran and u.s. specifically have have had difficult relations for 36 years. we don't expect that iran and the united states will be in bed together. but now that the nuclear issue is removed from the table and now we can open up and address a common interest, and there is also a concern between not just iran and the united states, but iran and the international

community, and this goes into an array of issues that we may be able to discuss. >> is the president naive to put so much hope in diplomacy at such an early stage? >> if you listen to the language of president obama yesterday and also throughout other interferes he has had the point of these negotiations were were from the beginning how to stop iran reach a point where they can have nuclear weapons? this deal stops iran reaching that ability to create a nuclear weapon from all of its pathways to a nuclear weapon. so in effect this deal has done what it was meant to do. now once this has opened up is there a possibility that of a relationship between u.s. and iran? we'll have to wait and see. if i could make a prediction i would say there are enough areas of common interest, security stability of afghanistan, iraq even the conflict in syria and yemen, in all of those military theaters iran has a part that it

has played, positive and negative. for any resolution requires engagement and dialogue, and i hope this could facilitate a much broader engagement between u.s. and iran. and these very pressing issues in the middle east. >> then we're going to ask you to stand by. we're looking at a live picture where in just a few minutes we expect president obama to step out and talk to the press and take perhaps a dozen questions or so. you can already see some of the members, some of the correspondents who are standing at the frontnt and doing their own live reports from the east room. we have al jazeera's michael shure standing by on the north lawn. i want to get your reaction. first of all israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu said that the deal puts iran on a sure path of developing nuclear weapons, and some are saying that could have been a better way to create a deal.

>> there was an opening for a much tougher kind of negotiation with the that will convince the irans to stop the nuclear program. >> we have the former prime minister of israel how is the white house responding to the critics. >> what they've done, that's about as soft pedaled that you're going to get from an israeli official. i think what they decided to do with israel is inform them, talk to them about this. israel has made it anything but a secret that they were opposed from this from the get go. now, netanyahu has a few choices. he can reach out to the

president, invite the conversation on this issue and try to make aments for a real separation on policy between the two nations unprecedented in the last 25-30 years. or he could say we don't have to abide by this deal. we're not bound to this deal. that's what netanyahu seems to be saying apart from what president obama and his state department needs to do is engage israel on that fact. it does not help the situation but they have their own interests, and the president really needs to, and i think he will in this press conference convince people that this does not put israel in further danger, and he's very cognizant of the dangers imposed by iran in the past. >> such a good point. lisa stark the announcement that ash carter will be headed to israel, making it clear to

members of congress that we're going to be giving israel additional military help. how is that going over with israeli supporters on capitol hill? >> of course, the president did call benjamin netanyahu yesterday. i spoke to him after this deal was announced reassured him that the u.s. is still in israel's corner, and is submitted to the security of israel, and told netanyahu that he understood that there are a lot of issues still outstanding with iran. way past this nuclear deal. iran, of course, according to the united states responders terrorism throughout the region, and he assureed israel that they would continue to press iran on these other issues. here on capitol hill, the pro israeli lobby is very powerful. it's called apac. they issued a statement yesterday saying that the deal does not seem to do what it is supposed to do, which is stop all of the pathways by which iran could form--could build a

nuclear weapon. they said they were going to study the deal very carefully. they'll be up here pressing members of congress who support israel they'll be pressing members of congress to vote against this deal. now on the other side the president will have some groups urging law make tours support the deal. but really the pro israeli lobby is so powerful, they'll likely have an impact up here on the hill. >> i wonder if you can give us a sense of the context of how big this political fight is. we know that the obama white house was starting those meetings with progressive groups weeks ago to get them to prepare for this fight.

>> this is going to be a huge fight. unlike the affordable care act this is placed in the international stage. the united states is not the only country that negotiated this deal. there were other countries involved. this in a sense talks a lot to the cache that the united states has on the international stage and the obama administration does not want to be embarrassed. doesn't want to drag this deal through the political muck here on capitol hill. in fact, obama said it is not a time for political posturing. some republicans here on the hill have said look, we need to do this deliberately. we need to look at every aspect of this deal. but you saw all the comments yet from some of the republican leaders, and they're clearly opposed to this deal. they're worried about it. they said they'll do everything they can to try to stop it. i assume we'll hold them at their word. this is going to be quite contentious. well some may be political posturing. we wouldn't be surprised if we

see that on capitol hill. but some of it is a lot of deep concern and mistrust of iran, their intentions, and whether they'll stick with this deal. we were told today in the meeting with vice president biden some of the questions really focused on some key aspects. one is the inspection. they have to give them notice and there has to be an agreement where they can come in and inspect. the other thing they're concerned about is the missing of embargo those are two big sticking points. yes there is political posturing. yes, the republicans are adding a criticism on this deal, but there is a lot of concern about the specifics of whether this is the best deal the u.s. could have gotten, and whether this is a good deal for the security of

the united states, and it's allies in the middle east. >> lisa stark reporting from capitol hill. if you're just joining us, we're waiting for president obama to step into the east room of the white house where he'll primarily address questions about the u.s. deal with iran. loot of the president's press conferences are held in the briefing room, but when there is a for formal atmosphere the president wants to project the president will do it in the east room. that's the case, and western powers have agreed to a deal with iran to curb it's nuclear program. in a sign of momentousness of this particular time in the president's presidency the white house has decided this would be a much more formal news conference. we expect it to last an hour or so. within an hour the president will get 12 or 13 questions. some of the criticism of the

iran nuclear deal has come from people who have pointed to that country's human rights record. by most accounts tehran is holding hundreds of political prisoners including three americans. that's a significant part of this particular story and some of the criticism from the president that nothing so far seems to have happened in terms of getting those americans out. roxana saberi has more on that story. >> many activists are welcoming the nuclear deal as a way to promote peace but they now say that iran and other countries that hammered out and signed off on the deal should prioritize human rights. >> a lot of human rights activists, civil society activists have been very hopeful that, in fact, once the nuclear deal is reached the space the political space the space for civil society and the country will open up. >> they say the situation is dire. the u.n. special reports on human rights in iran reports on the surge of executions, 750 last year. hundreds of political prisoners

are behind bars including journalists, lawyers and activists. opposition leaders have been under house arrest since 2011. and there are still at least three iranian americans in prison. "washington post" correspondent had his third hearing in his espionage trial on monday. >> he's not a murder, he's not a spy. there detention is hurting him and his family. we want him released. >> on tuesday a statement while amir himself said that he should not be part of any nuclear deal, his immediate release would be a strong jess

future of faith to the community. >> there is not a day that goes by we know whey don't think of him. how much he's suffering and what we can do next to bring him home. >> human rights may get worse before they get better as hard liners try to undermine the mad rate iranian president rouhani. >> the international community in particular can pay a lot of more attention and focus on the human rights and use the leverage they have to push tehran to actually stand by its human rights obligations. >> roxana saberi. al jazeera. >> and human rights is expected to be one of the issues that the president will be asked about regarding the iran deal, and the status of the three americans is still being held in iran. we're told that the president will come out in the next minute or so.

but in the meantime let's go to the executive director of the iran council. how significant is the human rights issue? >> well, it is. there is no question that iran has shortcomings when it comes to human rights. but i'm hoping that you through such a nuclear agreement and iran being welcomed into the international forum it has to become a more responsible state. i hope throughout this--as we see how the sanctions arery moved and iran opens up it's economy, it's society, it will trickle down to address these other issues. it becomes the responsibility of the iranian government, it becomes higher when you have an economy that is connected with the rest of the world. the issue of human rights will be front and center.

>> again, we expect president obama to step out any moment in the east room of the white house. again, the main topic will be the u.s. and world powers and their deal with iran over iran's nuclear program. a lot of criticism that it does not go far enough. and that he was negotiating were a moment of weakness and could have done more with the economic sanctions. there is concern about the fate of americans who are held prisoner in iran. and if the president were to get questions beyond the iran deal it is possible that he would asked about his latest effort effort--the president has just been announced. the press will rise as their formal tradition in the east room. here is the president of the united states in the east room of the white house. >> obama: please have a seat. good afternoon everybody. yesterday was an historic day. the comprehensive deal that we

achieved with our allies and partners to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon represents a powerful display of leadership and diplomacy. it shows what we can accomplish when we lead from a position of strength and a position of principle. we'll united international community around a shared vision, and we resolve to solve problems peacefully. as i said yesterday it's important for the american people and congress to get a full opportunity to review this deal. that process is now under way. we've reached out to leaders in congress on both sides of the ail. the national security team has begun to offer extensive briefings. i expect the debate to be robust, and that's how it should be. this is an important issue. our national security policies are stronger and more effective when they're subject to the scrutiny and transparency that the democracy demands. as i said yesterday the details of this deal matter very much. that's why our team worked so

hard for so long to get the details right. at the same time as this debate unfolds i hope that we don't lose sight of the larger picture. the opportunity that this agreement represents. as we go forward it's important for everybody to remember the alternative. the fundamental choice that this moment represents. with this deal we cut off every single one of iran's pathways to a nuclear program. a nuclear weapons program. and iran's nuclear program will be under severe limits for many years. without a deal those pathways remain open. there will be no limits to iran's nuclear program, and iran could move closer to a nuclear bomb. with this deal we gain unprecedented around the clock

monitoring of iran's nuclear facility and most intrusive inspection regime ever negotiated. without a deal those inspections go away. and we lose the ability to monitor iran's program and detect any covert nuclear weapons program. with this deal if iran violates its commitments there will be real consequences. nuclear-related sanctions that have helped to cripple the iranian economy and it will snap in to place. without a deal the regime will unravel with no ability to reimpose them. 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 field compelled to pursue their

own nuclear programs, threatening the nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world. as i said yesterday, even with this deal we will continue to have profound differences with iran. support of terrorism, the use of proxies to destabilize parts of the middle east. therefore, the multi lateral arms embargo on iran will remain in place for an additional five years. in addition the united states will maintain our own sanctions related to iran support for terrorism and it's human rights violations and will continue cooperation with israel and continue to deepen our partnerships with the gulf states. but the bottom line is this:this nuclear deal meets the national security interests of the united states and our allies. it prevents the most serious

threat iran obtaining a nuclear weapon which would only make the other problems that iran may cause even worse. that's why this deal makes our country and the world safer and more security. that's why the alternative no limits on iran's nuclear program, no inspections, and iran that is closer to a nuclear weapon the risk of regional nuclear arms race and a greater risk of war all that would endanger our security. that's the choice that we face. if we don't choose wisely i believe future generation also judge us hashly harshly for letting this moment slip away. realizing the promise of this deal will require many years of implementation and hard work. it will