Fifteen U.S. senators voice support for Iran deal: White House

Fifteen U.S. senators have announced their support for the Iran nuclear deal during the past two weeks, showing "some important momentum," the White House said Monday.

"We have seen 15 members of the United States Senate come out and indicate their support and endorsement for the Iran deal," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters in a daily briefing.

Democratic Leader of the Senate Harry Reid and Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow are among the supporters, he said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last month blamed President Barack Obama for approaching the negotiations from a "flawed perspective, reaching the best deal acceptable to Iran, rather than actually advancing the national goal of ending Iran's nuclear program."

Congress will study the "concessions" made by the Obama administration,

McConnell said.

The best chance to resolve the Iran nuclear issue through peaceful means will be squandered if Congress moves to reject the agreement negotiated with Tehran, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned last month.

Congress is in the midst of a 60-day review period of the deal. Obama has vowed to veto any congressional attempt to block the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal.

Two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate is required to override the veto.

Iran and six major world powers -- the United States, Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany -- reached an agreement on the Iran nuclear issue last month, putting Iran on the path of sanctions relief but imposing stricter limits on its nuclear program. Endi