WASHINGTON — Top Republican lawmakers accused the Obama administration Wednesday of ignoring congressional intent and the spirit of the law in offering reassurances to Iran about new visa rules.

“There is no ambiguity,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California. “The administration should follow the law as written and agreed to.”

Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., says the Obama administration is not following new, tighter rules on travel to the U.S. The Associated Press

At issue is a new law tightening visa-free travel to the U.S., part of a sprawling spending bill passed last week.

The legislation, a response to the Paris terror attacks, deals with the “visa waiver” program that allows the citizens of 38 countries to travel to the U.S. without obtaining a visa. It makes a series of changes, including requiring a visa for anyone who’s visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan in the previous five years, as well as dual nationals with citizenship in any of those countries.

This could make travel back and forth to the U.S. more difficult for Iranian-Americans or for Europeans with business dealings in Iran.

Iranian leaders complained in recent days that the new requirements contradict elements of the landmark nuclear deal reached earlier this year.

In a letter to Kerry and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson released Wednesday, McCarthy and several House committee chairmen said they are “deeply concerned” the administration would try to apply waiver authority to those who’ve traveled to Iran for business purposes.

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