Republicans Criticize Approval of Nuclear Resolution at the Security Council

Senior Republican representatives have criticized the government's decision to send and approve the nuclear agreement resolution regarding Iran at the United Nations Security Council before the end of its review in Congress. On the other hand, Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, has urged representatives to support the nuclear agreement. Senator Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican representative, described the approval of the resolution at the Security Council on July 19 as 'another witness to the President's weak attempt to present a bad deal' to Congress. Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also strongly criticized the government for approving the resolution related to the nuclear agreement with Iran at the UN Security Council before the outcome was finalized in the United States. Corker stated, 'The government's decision to approve the [nuclear] agreement at the UN on behalf of the American people, before voting on it in Congress, contradicts the spirit of the law reviewing the nuclear agreement with Iran. This law was passed by a large group of Senate and House representatives and was signed by the President.' Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi, a supporter of the agreement, stated in a letter to her colleagues, 'As you know, I believe this agreement is a significant achievement. I am pleased that the positive response to it has gone beyond the Democrats in the House of Representatives.' Some American media, including Politico, point out that the approval of the resolution at the UN Security Council could send a message to Congress representatives that international sanctions on Iran will be lifted whether they like it or not. The UN Security Council, on July 19, issued a resolution supporting the final agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group. This resolution was presented to the council members after the nuclear agreement on July 14 in Vienna. President Barack Obama also welcomed the support at the Security Council, stating that this is a 'clear message' that 'diplomacy has so far been our strongest method to ensure that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons.' Earlier, Senator Bob Corker (Republican), along with Ben Cardin, a Democratic senator, had requested in a letter to the President that the vote at the Security Council be postponed until the review in Congress is completed. The resolution regarding Iran must undergo review by representatives in the United States for final approval, a process that can take up to 60 days. Many Republicans, who hold the majority in Congress, have previously expressed their opposition to the negotiations and nuclear agreement. The failure to pass the resolution in Congress, as Obama has previously stated, will face his veto. Opponents need more than two-thirds of the representatives' votes to prevent the President's veto, which seems to be a very difficult task.