Foreign Relations chairman: ‘Iran will cheat by inches’

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said on Sunday that verification is key to any Iranian nuclear deal, adding that Tehran will “cheat by inches.”

{mosads}The Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman added that Iran’s desire for nuclear weapons outweighs any diplomatic accord.

“We know they were building a bomb, we just don’t know how far along they were,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“I am concerned about this,” he added. “We have to make sure this is verifiable.”

Corker’s remarks come amid reports negotiators in Vienna are expected to reach a provisional deal curbing Iran’s nuclear program on Sunday.

Diplomats have missed four previous deadlines en route to the latest deadline on Monday.

Corker argued on Sunday that repeated delays in the talks over the last month benefit the U.S. and its allies.

“I am glad they are taking their time,” he said of negotiators.

“I actually think the deadline was working in Iran’s favor,” Corker added of the original June 30 end point for a final deal.

Congress now has 60 days to review any potential agreement as a result of the repeated extensions.

Corker vowed on Sunday that lawmakers would do what is best for both Americans and the greater international community too.

“We have a responsibility on this,” he said of Congress. “We understand our position.”

“The world’s eyes are going to be on Congress once this comes over,” he said of the deal.

“At the end of the day, people are going to vote their conscience,” Corker added.