Bernie Sanders has called on Congress to protect the Iran nuclear deal, days after Donald Trump labelled the agreement “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into”.

“I call on my colleagues in the Congress, and all Americans: We must protect this agreement. President Trump has signalled his intention to walk away from it, as he did the Paris agreement, regardless of the evidence that it is working. This would be a serious mistake,” the Independent senator said during an address at Westminster College in Missouri.

In his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly this week, Mr Trump promised to revisit the deal, saying the US “cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear programme.”

On Wednesday, the US leader told reporters he had decided whether the US would withdraw from the deal, but refused to say what that decision was.

Mr Trump’s criticism of the deal has put him at odds with other world leaders, including the UK's Prime Minister Theresa May, who has called the agreement “vital”, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Macon on Tuesday said the nuclear deal was “essential for peace”.

Under the 2015 agreement with six world powers – including the US, UK and France – Iran agreed to restrict its nuclear programme for at least 10 years in exchange for the loosening of economic sanctions that had crippled its economy.

Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Show all 15 1 /15 Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. arrives for a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Andrew Harnik/AP Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton A woman holds a sign at an event where Bernie Sanders will appear with Hillary Clinton at Portsmouth High School July 12, 2016 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Sanders and Clinton are expected to show unity within the party and a forwarding of their agendas. Darren McCollester/Getty Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Cerys Coffey, 5, of North Hampton, Massachusetts, walks along a line of supporters waiting to get into a campaign event with Democratic U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S., July 12, 2016. Mary Schwalm/Reuters Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders stand together during a campaign rally where Sanders endorsed Clinton in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S., July 12, 2016. Brian Snyder/Reuters Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders greet supporters during a campaign rally where Sanders endorsed Clinton in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S., July 12, 2016. Brian Snyder/Reuters Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks as Senator Bernie Sanders looks on after he endorsed her during a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S., July 12, 2016. Brian Snyder/Reuters Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (R) looks on as Senator Bernie Sanders endorses her during a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S., July 12, 2016. Brian Snyder/Reuters Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton looks on as Senator Bernie Sanders endorses her during a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S., July 12, 2016. Brian Snyder/Reuters Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., arrives for a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016, where Sanders endorsed Clinton for president. Andrew Harnik/AP Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. waves as he a Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrive for a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Andrew Harnik/AP Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton People hold signs outside an event where Bernie Sanders will appear with Hillary Clinton at Portsmouth High School July 12, 2016 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Sanders and Clinton are expected to show unity within the party and a forwarding of their agendas. Darren McCollester/Getty Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Supporters for Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. cheer before a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016, prior to the arrival of Clinton and Sanders. Sanders is poised to offer his long-awaited endorsement of Clinton, hoping to transfer the energy of his supporters into the party's fight against Republican Donald Trump. Andrew Harnik/AP Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sing the national anthem in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016, prior to a rally with Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders is poised to offer his long-awaited endorsement of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, hoping to transfer the energy of his supporters into the party's fight against Republican Donald Trump. Andrew Harnik/AP Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sing the national anthem in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016, prior to a rally with Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders is poised to offer his long-awaited endorsement of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, hoping to transfer the energy of his supporters into the party's fight against Republican Donald Trump. Andrew Harnik/AP Bernie Sanders campaigns with Hillary Clinton A woman holds poster for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016, where Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. endorsed her for president. Andrew Harnik/AP

The US has until October 15 to recertify the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Over the weekend, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that while Iran was technically complying with its commitments in the agreement, it was also supporting terrorist organisations and backing militias in Yemen and Syria.

But on Thursday, Mr Sanders praised the Obama administration for negotiating the Iran deal, calling it an example of “real leadership” and “real power.”

The potential 2020 presidential candidate also argued that backing away from the agreement could hurt America's ability to cut deals in the future, echoing similar remarks made by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani.

During his own speech to the UN General Assemby, Mr Rouhani said that if the US decides to scrap the deal negotiated by the Obama administration, the nation would only demolish its own credibility.