The controversial agreement between Western powers and Iran aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief survived a key test in the United States Senate on Thursday as Democrats blocked a Republican effort to scuttle the accord.
In a procedural vote the disapproval resolution failed to win the backing of the 60 senators required,with only 58 backing it. The Senate will hold another vote next week to see if “any folks want to change their minds,” Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said the vote was “clear, decisive and final.
“You can continue to relitigate it, but it’s going to have the same result.”
If the vote is not reversed, President Barack Obama will have won a victory. The president has lobbied hard in favor of the agreement against unanimous Republican opposition joined by a handful of Democrats.
The Iran agreement is still months away from taking effect and will also have to be considered by Iran’s parliament. International weapons inspectors must verify that Iran is meeting initial requirements before economic sanctions can be removed, probably early next year.
In a statement, Obama declared: “This vote is a victory for diplomacy, for American national security, and for the safety and security of the world.”
