Rick Santorum blasted lawmakers for their "Stockholm syndrome," implying Saturday at an appearance in New Hampshire that lawmakers have bonded to their kidnapper, the Obama administration.

Speaking at the National Security Action Summit, Santorum said the nuclear agreement with Iran was "the greatest betrayal of American national security in our history" and urged members of Congress to stand up to the president in opposition of the deal.

"[Iran] will cheat. They will violate the agreement. They will continue to sponsor terror all over the world," the former Pennsylvania senator said Saturday, according to The Hill.

Secretary of State John Kerry and other cabinet members spent much of this week trying to sell lawmakers on the agreement, which is currently awaiting rejection or approval in Congress.

Obama has promised to veto any legislation that dismantles his signature diplomatic achievement.

Other Republican candidates for president have railed against the Iran deal and suggested they would eliminate it immediately upon taking office.

If Congress approves the agreement or fails to muster the support needed to override Obama's veto, the sanctions against Iran will be lifted.