Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE said on Friday that he is actively working with the White House and members of Congress on a potential fix to the Iran nuclear deal that would allow the U.S. to stay in the multi-nation deal.

“The president said he is either going to fix it or cancel it,” Tillerson told The Associated Press. “We are in the process of trying to deliver on the promise he made to fix it.”

Tillerson's comments come before President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE must decide by Jan. 12 whether he will re-certify the deal. Re-certification indicates that Iran is living up to its side of the deal to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for fewer sanctions by the U.S. and other countries.

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Negotiations between the administration and members of Congress could lead to Trump deciding to re-certify the deal. He did not certify it the last time he was required to do so, in October. He said it is not in the national security interest of the U.S.

Tillerson said talks between the White House and members of Congress have not concluded yet but said the administration was speaking with congressional leaders "on a very active basis."

“I don’t want to suggest we’re across the finish line on anything yet,” he said.

The secretary of state also said the president would be prepared to waive sanctions again if Congress would act quickly.

The interview comes as U.S. relations with Iran have declined in recent days.

The president blasted the Iranian government for its violent response to peaceful protestors, while the State Department reportedly urged Tehran to end its blocking of social media platforms.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Nimrata (Nikki) Haley'The soul' versus 'law and order' Author Ryan Girdusky: RNC worked best when highlighting 'regular people' as opposed to 'standard Republicans' GOP lobbyists pleasantly surprised by Republican convention MORE also accused Iran of supplying weapons to Yemeni rebels last month.