USA - IRAN: Obama secures Senate support for Iran nuclear deal

US President Barack Obama secured a landmark foreign policy victory Wednesday as Democrats amassed enough votes to ensure the Iran nuclear deal survives in Congress, despite ferocious opposition from Republicans and Israel's government.

The backing from Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski gives supporters of the agreement the crucial 34th vote in the 100-member chamber they need to uphold an Obama veto of a congressional resolution of disapproval if Republicans pass such a measure later this month/

"No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime. I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb," Mikulski said in a statement. "For these reasons, I will vote in favour of this deal."

Mikulski backing spells failure for opponents of the international agreement who sought to foil it by turning Congress against it. Leading that effort were Israel and its allies in the US, who failed to get traction after spending millions of dollars trying.

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