Maine’s congressional delegation appears split on a historic deal aiming to curb Iranian nuclear programs.

The accord, announced Tuesday, aims to keep Iran from being able to produce an atomic weapon for at least a decade and calls for inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities. In return for the concessions, international sanctions against Iran will be eased.

President Obama, a Democrat, has pushed for a deal for years. Some congressional Republicans have vowed to try and stop it.

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation didn’t say in statements Tuesday how they would vote, but they appear to be split along party lines. The Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Bruce Poliquin of the 2nd District, expressed concern about the deal’s strength, while Rep. Chellie Pingree, a 1st District Democrat, and independent Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, were more open to it.

Kenneth Rodman, a government professor at Colby College in Waterville who specializes in foreign policy and nuclear issues, called the deal the “least-bad option” – it will open Iran’s nuclear program to more scrutiny, but critics have legitimate concerns, he said.

While the deal “will make it more difficult for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon,” it will also “give it more resources to do things in the region that are against U.S. interests.”

“The theory is that you can separate those issues,” Rodman said. “That’s a theory that’s going to be tested.”

Poliquin said the deal “does not go far enough toward eliminating Iran’s nuclear program,” adding that lifting economic sanctions will “help fuel those who seek to harm Americans.”

Collins was also skeptical.

“A verifiable diplomatic agreement that prevents Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and dismantles its nuclear infrastructure is the desired outcome; however, it is far from clear that this agreement will accomplish those goals,” she said.

King said he looks forward to reviewing the deal “to determine whether or not (it) contains the necessary provisions to ensure that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons capability.” He said it “cannot be based on trust,” but rather on “strict enforcement and verification provisions.”

Pingree said the deal is needed.

“The best way to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program is through a comprehensive, international agreement like this one,” Pingree said.