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FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2015 file photo, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.speaks with people at a restaurant in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

WASHINGTON Rand Paul is demonstrating how he could disrupt the Republican presidential field if he seeks the nomination, sparring with potential rivals over Iran, Cuba and the Pentagon's budget in a face-to-face forum that offered an early preview of the feisty policy debate to come.

The Kentucky Republican joined fellow first-term senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida on stage Sunday evening in California for a summit organized by Freedom Partners. That group is the central hub of the powerful network of organizations backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch.

Each likely candidate has broad backing from tea party activists, who helped push them to victory over establishment-minded rivals in their most recent races. But a split is already starting to emerge even before they formally decide if they will run, and Paul seems to be an eager wedge.

"I'm a big fan of trying the diplomatic option as long as we can," Paul said of talks with Iran over its nuclear plan. "I do think diplomacy is better than war."

Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for a new round of sanctions against Iran. The White House and foreign leaders have urged Congress to not do that, for fear it would agitate Iran and prompt them to end negotiations over its nuclear abilities.

Cruz and Rubio were sharply critical of negotiations, backed by President Barack Obama.

"This is the worst negotiation in the history of mankind," Cruz said, predicting an Iranian nuclear strike in "Tel Aviv, New York or Los Angeles."

Added Rubio: "At this pace, in five years, we're going to build the bomb for them."

Paul urged his colleagues to have patience. "Are you ready to send ground troops into Iran?"

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Rand Paul clashes with Rubio, Cruz on defense, foreign policy at Koch forum