U.S. pro-Israel lobby opposes push to toughen Iran nuclear bill

Negotiators of Iran and six world powers face each other at a table in the historic basement of Palais Coburg hotel in Vienna April 24, 2015. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An influential pro-Israel lobbying group is pressuring U.S. lawmakers not to support amendments to toughen a bill that lets Congress review a nuclear agreement with Iran, hoping to avoid a partisan battle that could doom the legislation.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has been urging Republicans not to back amendments that might turn many Senate Democrats against the "Iran Nuclear Review Act," or prompt Democratic President Barack Obama to renew his threat to veto the legislation.