U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday made an all-out effort to defend the Iran nuclear deal, warning that blocking the accord by Congress would lead to war in the Middle East.

"Congressional rejection of this deal leaves any U.S. administration that is absolutely committed to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon with one option, another war in the Middle East," Obama said in a speech at the American University. " The choice we face is ultimately between diplomacy or some form of war."

He added that he has not shied away from using force when necessary, warning that "if Iran does not abide by this deal, it's possible that we don't have an alternative."

The President also warned that by killing this deal, Congress would accelerate Iran's pathway to a bomb.

"Without this deal, Iran will be in a position, however tough our rhetoric may be, to steadily advance its capabilities," Obama said.

Obama's speech came amid the effort by his administration to dissuade lawmakers from trying to undermine the nuclear deal reached last month by world powers and Iran.

Congress is in the midst of reviewing the deal and will decide in September whether to approve or disapprove the agreement. Obama has threatened to veto a potential rejection.

Obama portrayed the ongoing discussion on the deal as "the most consequential foreign-policy debate that our country has had since the invasion of Iraq."

Many of the same people who argued for the war in Iraq are now making the case against the Iran nuclear deal, he said.

Obama's speech immediately drew criticism from some Republican lawmakers, news website The Hill reported.

"President Obama's speech today is just another example of his reliance on endless straw men to divert attention from his failed policies," Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham said in a joint statement. "Those of us who have warned President Obama about his past mistakes are warning him again about the consequences of this deal with Iran." Endite

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