Munich, Germany (CNN) Vice President Mike Pence called on European allies to abandon the Iran nuclear deal while speaking at the Munich Security Conference, shortly after German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Germany's decision to stand by the deal.

It was the second time Pence called out European allies while touring Europe this week. He told the audience in Munich Saturday that the time had come for European partners to "stop undermining" US sanctions against Iran.

"The time has come for our European partners to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and join with us as we bring the economic diplomatic pressure necessary to give the Iranian people, the region, and the world the peace, security and freedom they deserve," Pence said.

In stark contrast, Merkel who addressed the conference about thirty minutes before Pence, called the Iran deal "another bone of contention dividing" Europe and the United States.

"I see the Europeans on one side and the Americans on the other side," Merkel told the conference.

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