In a speech delivered at American University in Washington, D.C. on the nuclear deal with Iran, President Obama likened Iranian hardliners who yell "death to America" and are pleased with the status quo to Congressional Republicans who oppose the deal.



"Just because Iranian hard-liners chant 'death to America' does not mean that that's what all Iranians believe," Obama said to strong applause from the audience.



"In fact, it's those hard-liners who are most comfortable with the status quo," Obama said Wednesday afternoon. "It's those hard-liners chanting "death to America" who have been most opposed to the deal."



"They're making common cause with the Republican caucus," Obama said to laughter and wild applause.