US Senate approves resolution on Iran

The US Senate has approved a resolution today insisting that United States will do all it can to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The nonbinding measure said it should not be construed as an authorisation for the use of military force or a declaration of war. However, the resolution says United States would not rely on containment of a nuclear weapons-capable Iran.

Congress has passed the resolution and President Barack Obama has signed the tough sanctions on Iran to limit oil sales, hamper its economy and make it difficult for Tehran to finance its uranium enrichment programme. The vote in the Senate was 90-1.

Passage of the resolution comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed Washington to spell out what would provoke a US-led military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.