White House says not hiding any parts of Iran accord from Congress

US administration officials have denied claims by some Republican lawmakers about hiding parts of a recent nuclear agreement with Iran from Congress.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that there is no “secret side deals” kept out of the nuclear accord submitted to Congress.

Kirby described the additional documents signed by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran as “technical arrangements” that are standard between the IAEA and a country being inspected.

“They’re not released publicly or to other states, but our experts are familiar and comfortable with the contents,” he said.

Meanwhile, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice said the Obama administration would share the documents with members of Congress.

The reaction comes after pro-Israel Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Mike Pompeo set off a firestorm, claiming that officials at the IAEA told them about secret agreements between the IAEA and Iran.

They say these agreements are not going to be shared with Congress or even with the P5+1 group of countries – the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany.

Iran and the P5+1 group announced the conclusion of nuclear negotiations in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on July 14, following more than two weeks of intense negotiations.

According to the text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran will be recognized by the United Nations as a nuclear power and will continue its uranium enrichment program.

Some restrictions will be placed on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the removal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Most Republicans oppose the nuclear agreement with Iran, but they need a two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress to override a presidential veto and to reach that threshold, Republicans need Democrats’ support.

The White House has launched a sales pitch to the Republican-controlled Congress, which 60 days to vote to either approve or disapprove of it.