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US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton offered her most pessimistic assessment yet of the Iran nuclear deal on Thursday, telling supporters the United States should not trust Tehran to carry out the agreement, the Jerusalem Post reported.

"Do I trust the Iranians?" Clinton said. "Absolutely not." Clinton has largely been supportive of the agreement struck between the United States, five other world powers and Iran to limit its nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

But in New Hampshire, she asserted for the first time that critics of the deal had "a respectable argument." The former secretary of state reiterated her belief that the deal was the best the United States could reach at present, but added later in an exchange with reporters: "No one should be deluded about the continuing threat that Iran poses to the region."

During a meeting with House of Representative Democrats on Tuesday, US Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Brad Sherman reported that she thought the deal "was worthy of support."

Blumenauer said Clinton talked about the history of the Iran deal and events leading up to it and "why it puts us in a potentially stronger position."

Clinton said that as president, her posture toward Iran would be "Don't trust, and verify," saying the United States would employ intrusive inspections and extensive monitoring to ensure Tehran complies with the accord.

The comments reflected a continuing attempt by Clinton since the deal was struck to support the Obama administration and yet stake out a tougher stance on the issue of Iran.