A Michigan Democratic congressman says he supports President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran.

Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee counts an American held hostage in Iran as a constituent. Kildee tells The Associated Press he sees the nuclear deal as the only viable way to keep Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Kildee says he's notified Obama and relatives of hostage Amir Hekmati. Hekmati is a former Marine Corps sergeant who was visiting his ailing grandmother in 2011 when he was arrested on suspicion of spying. He was charged with espionage and sentenced to death. His family denies the charge.

Hekmati is one of four captured Americans in Iran.

The accord calls on Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

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