MASHPEE — An Israeli diplomat said Sunday the potential nuclear deal with Iran is bad for his country and urged Americans to consider the merits of a pact that puts one of their country's longest-standing allies in danger. 

Yehuda Yaakov, consul general of Israel to New England, spoke at Willowbend Country Club to a group of about 50 community leaders and prominent members of the local Jewish community. Yaakov, who was born and raised in the United States, has been a member of Israel's Foreign Service since 1989 and has focused his work on Iran since 2008. Now he finds himself on uncertain footing, he said, as the United States and Israel fail to see eye to eye on the future of Iran's nuclear program. 

"I've never felt more uncomfortable than I do now," he said. "For the first time in my career ... I find myself in the position with my country disagreeing in a very open way with the course that the host country has decided to embark on, on an issue that has strategic importance for my country." 

The United States and five other world powers announced in July an agreement to limit — but not eliminate — Iran's nuclear programs. The deal would also lift sanctions against Iran and set up a series of inspections to ensure compliance with the pact. 

But Yaakov said Iran has shown before it will push the limits of any diplomatic agreement it signs. 

"I have no doubt Iran will test the parameters of this agreement and test the will of the international community to take action if it violates them," he said. While he says he doesn't expect Iran to commit any major violations in the short term, he says he believes it will commit small violations testing the "red lines" of the international community and gauge those reactions.

Iran also will be able to continue its nuclear research and development and move that program forward, he said. That will cause continued security concerns for Israel and the rest of the Middle East and intensify an already tense region. 

"A Middle East armed with more advanced toys, if you will, is not a Middle East that is safer," he said. "But nobody's going to have a choice. Everybody's going to have to arm themselves more than today." 

The deal, a signature achievement of President Barack Obama's foreign policy agenda, will face a Congressional vote after Labor Day. It's widely expected to receive a negative recommendation, but Obama can veto any negative resolution that passes, and both chambers will need a two-thirds majority to override the veto. 

In the lead-up to the vote, Yaakov said if Americans are questioning the deal's benefits to Israel, they should stand in opposition to the agreement. 

"You can say, 'Look, it's good for America and that's enough for me,'" he said. "But I would urge you also to ask yourself a different question: whether a deal which weakens the situation of your traditional allies ... is that situation good for you over the long term? Will you be able to sit over here, look out across the ocean, see that process moving forward and not be involved? If your answer is 'No, I cannot sit on this side and remain apathetic and not be involved,' then this deal is not good for you, either."

"Make up your own mind. Make up your mind but be educated to the facts," said Ted Cutler, a Boston civic and philanthropic leader who arranged for Yaakov's appearance. 

— The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Sean F. Driscoll on Twitter: @seanfdriscoll. ​