Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont Independent, praised the deal announced Tuesday on Iran’s nuclear program as a “victory for diplomacy over saber-rattling” that could help keep the United States out of another protracted engagement in the Middle East.

“I congratulate President Obama, Secretary Kerry and the leaders of other major nations for producing a comprehensive agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” said Mr. Sanders, who is running for president in 2016 on the Democratic side. “This is a victory for diplomacy over saber-rattling and could keep the United States from being drawn into another never-ending war in the Middle East. I look forward to learning more about the complex details of this agreement to make sure that it is effective and strong.”

President Obama said Tuesday the deal, which would curb Tehran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for relief from some economic sanctions, will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal a “historic mistake for the world.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the 2016 Democratic front-runner, was on Capitol Hill Tuesday meeting with various Democratic lawmakers. Mr. Sanders has emerged as a chief rival to Mrs. Clinton and has been running second behind her in recent polls.

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