Obama takes on Congress with UAE deal

Barack Obama's administration on Wednesday took on congressional critics in two disputes over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East when it decided to back a controversial deal with the United Arab Emirates and warned legislators against imposing unilateral sanctions on Iran.

The moves follow the US president's meeting this week with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel prime minister, when the president announced he would give the US diplomatic outreach to Iran at least until the end of this year to succeed.

On Wednesday Mr Obama announced he would proceed with a civil nuclear deal with the UAE agreed in the final days of George W. Bush's administration.