Thousands of protesters gathered in the heart of New York to demand that the US Congress voted down the proposed Iran nuclear deal.
The crowd, which was 10,000-strong according to organisers, included supporters of Israel and Republican politicians.
The deal involves the US and other world powers lifting international economic sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran has said it will reduce their nuclear activities over fears in the West that it is trying to build nuclear weapons.
Alan Dershowitz, a prominent lawyer, told AP he opposed the deal as a liberal Democrat. He added that because the Obama Administration negotiated the deal without input from the Congress, democracy had been "ignored". In pictures: Thousands gather on streets of New York to protest against the nuclear deal with Iran
George Pataki, former governor of New York, told AFPTV at the rally: “This deal poses an enormous threat to our safety and security here in New York. This deal poses an existential threat to the existence of the State of Israel.”
“This deal guarantees an arms race in the Middle East. This deal guarantees more world terror and a less secure world,” he said.
Recent polls suggest almost half of the 79 per cent of Americans disapprove of the deal.
Protestors shout slogans as they demonstrate during a rally apposing the nuclear deal with Iran
An inflatable mushroom cloud stands among demonstrators during a rally
Protesters rally against the nuclear deal with Iran in Times Square
On Wednesday, the Senate and House of Representatives were briefed about the deal by the US Secretary of State and other senior officials.
Today, lawmakers promised to pressure the Obama Administration into making more information public, according to Reuters.
Congress has until 17 September to approve or reject the deal, although President Obama can veto a rejection. The Senate and House of Representatives would need two-thirds approval to override a veto.
