The European Union Approves Iran's Nuclear Agreement with Six World Powers

The European Union has approved Iran's nuclear agreement, marking the first step towards lifting the EU's sanctions against Iran and sending an indirect message to the U.S. Congress to support this agreement. According to Reuters, the foreign ministers of EU countries reviewed the agreement between Iran and six world powers on Monday, July 20, in Brussels. Laurent Fabius, the French Foreign Minister, stated, "This is a balanced agreement that will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb." He added, "This agreement is a significant political achievement." The report indicates that the UN Security Council also approved this agreement on Monday by adopting a resolution. According to Reuters, European foreign ministers postponed commenting on the details of the Vienna agreement until after the UN Security Council resolution was adopted. European diplomats have stated that the EU will gradually lift economic and financial sanctions against Iran; however, the ban on sending ballistic missile technology and sanctions related to human rights violations will remain in place. The U.S. Congress has also received the nuclear agreement with Iran and has two months to decide on it, either approving or rejecting it. Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, has supported this agreement. However, Republicans, including John Boehner, the Speaker of the House, are dissatisfied with the agreement and have not supported it. Barack Obama, the U.S. President, has endorsed this agreement, calling it the best possible option and a barrier to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. The President has stated that if Congress does not vote in favor of this resolution, he will veto their decision. Only if two-thirds of the votes are against this agreement can Congress override the President's veto power. Israel is one of the most serious opponents of the nuclear agreement with Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu has called this agreement a "historic mistake."