You Shall Pass? Number of US Senators Supporting Iran Deal Rises to 31

Jeff Merkley, US Senator from Oregon, announced Sunday he was supporting the nuclear deal reached by Iran and P5+1 group, becoming the 31st senator to back the agreement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the senator, this deal would create "an effective framework for blocking Iran’s three pathways to development of a nuclear weapon: the uranium, plutonium, and covert paths" for 15 years.

"I believe the agreement, titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is the best available strategy to block Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," Merkley said in a statement published on the medium.com portal.

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 group of countries — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany – announced a final comprehensive agreement on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions' relief.

Under US law, members of Congress have until September 17 to fully review the final nuclear deal with Iran and pass or reject it.

US President Barack Obama has threatened to veto any resolution of disapproval from Congress. In order to block a presidential veto, both the House of Representatives and Senate would have to secure a two-thirds majority vote.