WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry is defending the deal the United States made with Iran to prevent it from becoming a nuclear power.

But Kerry acknowledges harsh criticism of the arrangement, telling MSNBC there's a furious debate even in Iran over whether Tehran should choose missiles over dialogue.

The secretary says, "I think what you're seeing there is tension" between moderates and hard-liners over Iran's future course.

Kerry adds that Iran "needs to make some clear decisions about the role that it intends to play in the region and the world."

The administration has come under harsh criticism from Republicans who argue the United States was taken advantage of in the deal to ensure that Tehran doesn't become a nuclear power.

He said, "If they're cheating, we will know it."