U.N. Security Council approves Iran agreement

UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (UPI) -- The United Nations Security Council voted, quickly and unanimously Monday, to approve the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers.

The 15-member council, which includes five permanent members who were signatories to the deal, endorsed the agreement in which economic sanctions against Iran would be lifted in exchange for controls on its nuclear development program. The pact was announced last week after 21 months of negotiations in Vienna. The 14-page U.N. resolution is legally binding and explains the method of lifting U.N. sanctions, excluding sanctions applied by the United States or the European Union.

It takes effect in 90 days and includes a procedure to renew sanctions if Iran does not uphold its commitments.

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said after the vote the sanctions against Iran would be loosened only when Iran "verifiably" demonstrates its pledges.

The European Union also approved the agreement Monday, initiating the mechanism for removing its own sanctions.

The U.S. Congress began its own review Monday. President Barack Obama sent the agreement to Congress Sunday; Congress has 60 days to debate and act on it, and Obama has said he would veto any rejection. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. said Congressional approval would be a "real challenge," calling the agreement "the best deal acceptable to Iran, rather than one that might actually end Iran's nuclear program."