US President Barack Obama on Wednesday earned sufficient congressional backing to ensure the Iran nuclear deal does not get blocked, when a veteran Democrat became the crucial 34th senator to back the controversial accord, AFP reports.
Most US lawmakers are opposed to the deal, which would ease punishing economic sanctions on Tehran while preventing it from advancing its nuclear program. Many Republicans warn that the Islamic republic will seek to cheat its way to an atomic bomb.
But with Senate Democrat Barbara Mikulski announcing her support Wednesday, the deal now has 34 backers in the 100-member Senate -- the magic number needed to uphold a certain Obama veto should Congress pass a resolution that disapproves of the deal.