60 senior US national security leaders support Iran deal

The resolution allows for supply of ballistic missile technology and heavy weapons, such as tanks and attack helicopters, to Iran with Security Council approval, but the United States has pledged to veto any such requests.

Following the deal in Vienna, Iran has agreed to long-term curbs on a nuclear program that the West suspected was aimed at creating an atomic bomb, but which Tehran says is peaceful.

“This is by far our strongest approach to ensuring that Iran doesn’t get a nuclear weapon”, Obama said from the Oval office Monday alongside Nigerian President Mahammadu Buhari, who was making his first visit to the United States.

Under the newly-struck accord, the economic sanctions that have crippled Tehran’s economy will gradually be lifted after it shrinks its nuclear infrastructure and accepts extensive surveillance at enrichment sites.

“New Zealand hopes this agreement can form the basis for building trust and opening a new chapter of cooperation in the Middle East”.

The UN passed a resolution endorsing the deal on Monday, and on Tuesday Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif submitted the agreement to his country’s parliament for review.

“We will continue to work with Israel and other partners in the region to counter the danger from Iran, even as we do the same with respect to ISIL”, he said, referring to the “Islamic State” by its other acronym.

In a statement, he said: “The resolution provides for the eventual removal of all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran”.

The resolution endorses the agreement, urges its full implementation and calls on all countries, regional and international organizations to take actions needed to implement it. “Loudly and clearly”, he added.

The U.N. Security Council vote paves the way for the lifting of U.N. sanctions against Iran.

But the six world powers and the European Union have notified the UN Secretary General they plan to extend the time-frame by another five years, allowing this snap-back mechanism staying in place for a longer period.

Obama is battling hard to convince allies in Congress that the deal is a good one.

On Monday, the UN Security Council unanimously endorsed the newly-reached agreement, kicking off a process to lift UN sanctions on Iran.