iran nuclear deal

In a setback for Obama, Democratic senator opposes Iran deal

     

The setback came Friday in the announcement from Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, that he opposes the deal, which he said "legitimizes Iran's nuclear program."

Obama gets Iran deal win as Senate Dems amass enough votes

Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland became the crucial 34th vote in favour of the agreement.

"No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime," Mikulski said in a statement. She called the accord "the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb. For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal."

Supporters of Iran deal near key vote total to back up Obama

Democratic Sens. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Chris Coons of Delaware on Tuesday became the 32nd and 33rd senators to announce support for the deal, just one shy of the 34 votes needed to uphold an Obama veto of Republican legislation aimed at blocking the agreement.

Vote tally for Iran nuclear deal rises to 31 in Senate

Merkley's backing puts supporters within reach of the 34 votes required to uphold a presidential veto of a congressional resolution disapproving the agreement, which curbs Iran's nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

Democrat Menendez announces opposition to Iran nuclear deal

Under the agreement, which the U.S. and other world powers negotiated with Tehran, Iran would curb its nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in relief from economic sanctions, which have been choking its economy.

Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joins Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York in rejecting the deal.

Obama suffers setback as top Dem Schumer rejects Iran deal

The question is how significant the blow will turn out to be.

Republicans, infuriated by Obama's recent comparison of GOP foes of the pact to "Death to America" Iranian hardliners, immediately focused on the stunning break with the president by Chuck Schumer of New York, and they're urging other Democrats to buck the administration.

Iranian foreign minister to join nuclear talks on Friday

France announced Thursday that Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is joining the talks in Vienna on Saturday. 

Iranian media reported earlier that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will fly to Vienna on Friday. That's the day U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry departs Washington for the Austrian capital