Obama clinches vote to secure Iran nuke deal

U.S. Senate Democrats have rallied the 34 votes they need to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive in Congress, handing President Barack Obama a major foreign policy victory.

Senator Barbara Mikulski became the crucial 34th vote Wednesday, declaring the agreement is the best way to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Congress is to vote later this month on a resolution disapproving the deal, which is unanimously opposed by Republicans, who call it a dangerous giveaway to Iran.

Obama has vowed to veto the resolution if it passes. It would take 34 votes in the 100-member Senate to uphold his veto, and Democrats now have those in hand.

The deal signed by Iran limits Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for hundreds of billions of dollars in relief from sanctions.