MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised a deal between Iran and world powers in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Putin told Netanyahu in Thursday's phone conversation that the agreement "provided reliable guarantees" that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, according to the Kremlin.

The deal reached earlier this month curbs Iran's nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in relief from sanctions stifling its economy. It has drawn strong criticism from some members of U.S. Congress and Israel. Netanyahu has called the deal a "historic mistake."

In a call with Netanyahu, Putin said that the agreement would help secure nuclear non-proliferation and "have a positive impact on security and stability in the Middle East."

By AP