US President Barack Obama has secured the support of 34 Senators for the nuclear agreement with Iran, ensuring its safe passage through a vote scheduled in Congress later this month.

Senator Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat from Maryland, has announced her support for the deal, as she followed similar announcements from two Democratic colleagues, Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Bob Casey, Jr. from Pennsylvania.

The President only needs one third of one house of Congress to ensure passage of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in Vienna between the world powers and Iran, because that number is the minimum necessary to uphold a presidential veto.

Congress may still vote and pass a resolution disapproving of the deal when it reconvenes next week.

A majority of the US Congress opposes the deal and all Republicans as well as a handful of Democrats are expected to vote against it .

If the bill rejecting the deal passes Congress it will be immediately vetoed by Mr Obama. His opponents will then try to override his veto by gathering two-thirds majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

US Secretary of State John Kerry continued the public campaign for the deal trying to persuade sceptics of its virtues. In a lengthy speech, Kerry detailed the deal’s benefits to the US, to Israel, and to the Gulf states and outlined how many of the provisions of the agreement will last far beyond its official 10-15 year timeframe.

Meanwhile, the Iranians continue with their incendiary tone against Israel. Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Brig.-Gen. Mohsen Kazzemeini told an Iranian news agency that military preparedness would be increased until “it overthrows Israel and liberates Palestine.”