Defense Secretary James Mattis told senators Tuesday he opposes a move to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear agreement—putting him at odds with President Trump, who campaigned on a promise to “rip up” the deal. Mattis’s comments come less than two weeks before the U.S. faces a deadline on whether to recertify Iran’s compliance.

Defense Secretary James Mattis: “If we can confirm that Iran is living by the agreement, if we can determine that this is in our best interest, then, clearly, we should stay with it. I believe, at this point in time, absent indications to the contrary, it is something the president should consider staying with.”