Sighs of relief and signs of struggle as world, U.S. leaders react to Iran deal

World leaders hailed the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday, with Barack Obama envisioning a “new direction” and Vladimir Putin voicing a global “huge sigh of relief” — though Israel criticized it as a “historic mistake." Major international powers who thrashed out the agreement with Tehran said they hoped Iran would build on the opportunity to come in from the cold. The Vienna agreement is aimed at ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear bomb, in return opening up Tehran’s sanctions-stricken economy, thereby potentially ending decades of bad blood with the West. Iran has always denied Western accusations that its civil nuclear program was a cover for acquiring nuclear weapons.

The world has breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Russian President Vladmir Putin

The Republican-controlled Congress can’t block the agreement, but a veto struggle is a near certainty as lawmakers try to undermine the deal by insisting that numerous sanctions remain in place. A close vote on overriding a veto is likely, and Obama’s hopes would rest in part on the views of Democrats with close ties to Israel, which vehemently opposes the lifting of any sanctions. Obama had promised as a presidential candidate to reach out to U.S. foes if he won the White House, drawing criticism from opponents including Clinton, who at the time was his rival for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

I will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of this deal.

President Obama

World nuclear deal