European leaders to US Congress: We're confident in Iran deal

The leaders of Britain, France and Germany expressed confidence on Thursday in the agreement reached between world powers and Iran on its nuclear programme, outlining their support in the Washington Post as US lawmakers weigh the deal.
"This is an important moment. It is a crucial opportunity at a time of heightened global uncertainty to show what diplomacy can achieve," British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel wrote.
The joint op-ed stopped short of calling on Congress to approve the deal, but point to "a shared responsibility" to address the threat of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The deal addresses the international community's concerns about Tehran's ability to acquire a nuclear weapon, the leaders said.
"We are confident that the agreement provides the foundation for resolving the conflict on Iran's nuclear programme permanently," they wrote.
The Senate was expected to vote later Thursday on whether to move forward with a resolution of disapproval of the deal.
Both chambers of Congress have until September 17 to vote on a resolution of approval or disapproval of the deal.
Even if lawmakers pass a resolution against the agreement, President Barack Obama has vowed to veto any disapproval, and he has public support from enough Senate Democrats to prevent the Congressional override needed to scuttle the agreement.

Obama maintains the deal is the best way to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Critics, including some in his own Democratic Party, say the controls do not go far enough and would allow Tehran to acquire a weapon once key provisions expire.