WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is defending his criticism of Republicans opposed to his Iran nuclear deal.

The president links them to hard-liners in Tehran who chant "Death to America."

Obama says what the two groups have in common is that they're "satisfied with the status quo." He says hardliners are opposed to any cooperation with the international community, and Republicans have an "ideological commitment" to not getting a deal done.

Mitch McConnell, the top Republican lawmaker in the U.S. Senate, has called on Obama to retract his comments, calling them offensive.

Obama's original remarks came in a speech earlier this week. He defended the comments in an interview with CNN that aired Friday morning.(AP)