Sen. Cardin Under Pressure Ahead Of Decision On Iran Deal

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--The battle to sway one Maryland senator's vote on the Iran nuclear deal continues to heat up as both sides hold rallies and demonstrations to get the attention of U.S. Senator Ben Cardin.

Cardin's vote is seen as crucial in this deal  and neither side wants to let up until he announces which way he'll vote.

WJZ's Derek Valcourt has more.

This deal mandates the toughest inspection program in history from dueling TV ads to street side rallies. A vote for this deal means more money for Iranian terrorism.

Maryland Senator Ben Cardin now under a lot of pressure to decide how he'll vote on the proposed Iran nuclear deal --backed by the White House-- the agreement would curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the U.S. lifting economic sanctions against the country.

Today supporters of the deal demonstrated outside of some of Cardin's district offices hoping to send him a message.

"It's time to take a different direction in our relations with nations in the Middle East and this is a first step to do that," said Steven Lapham.

"We believe that there is a very good chance that there will be a war in the Middle East in the next couple of years if this deal doesn't go through and that's why it's so very important, we do not need another war in the Middle East," said Jean Athey.

Opponents of the deal held demonstrations of their own, including one in front of Penn Station Wednesday evening.

They say it's bad for the U.S. and bad for Israel

"We can't have a situation where a deal with Iran leaves Iran with a nuclear infrastructure which is what happens here," said Jay Bernstein.

"I'm worried for my grandchildren and what will happen if this agreement is passed and the lives that they will have to live.  That is what I'm afraid of," said Berly Hershkovitz.

Cardin is the ranking democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It's not clear when he will announce his decision on the deal.

In the meantime lobbying groups of both sides of the issue have pledge to spend as much as $40 million on ad campaigns asking voters to contact their lawmakers.