WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Senate has passed the legislation in a 98-1 vote on Thursday that requires a congressional review of any final nuclear agreement with Tehran.
The US Senate's Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act would require US President Barack Obama to submit any final nuclear deal with Iran to the US Congress for a full review. During the review period, the president will not be able to waive or suspend congressional sanctions on Iran.
"We must do everything we can to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and today’s passage of the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act will help ensure that Congress plays a constructive, limited, and appropriate role in reviewing a potential nuclear deal with Iran,” US Senator Chris Coons said following the vote.
US Senator Tom Cotton also said in a statement after the vote that he will cooperate with both chambers of Congress on the Iranian nuclear issue.
“I will work with Republicans and Democrats to stop a dangerous deal that would put Iran on the path to obtaining a nuclear weapon," Cotton said.
The US House of Representatives is to hold a vote on the measure next week.
Obama previously threatened to veto legislation requiring congressional approval of a final nuclear deal with Iran, but changed his position hours before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act on April 14, 2015.