The United Nations Security Council endorsed the Iran nuclear deal on Monday. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The United Nations Security Council officially endorsed the Iran nuclear deal in a 15-0 vote Monday in New York, paving the way for the removal of U.N. sanctions on Iran.

No sanctions relief will be implemented until the International Atomic Energy Agency submits a report to the Security Council verifying that Iran has taken the initial steps outlined in the deal. The Security Council is not required to take any additional action for 90 days.

The vote only approves the lifting of U.N. sanctions, which are separate from American and European Union sanctions. The U.S. Congress has 60 days to review the Iran deal and to vote on whether or not to lift sanctions.

The U.N.’s resolution maintains restrictions on Iranian ballistic missile technology for eight years and on heavy weapons for five years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech at the Knesset that Iran has “systematically” violated prior U.N. resolutions and regularly “calls for the destruction of Israel.”

“The best way to fight this hypocrisy is to tell the truth in a strong and unified manner,” Netanyahu said.

At the same time, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Mohammed Ali Jafari rejected the Security Council resolution as well.

“Some parts of the draft have clearly crossed the Islamic Republic’s red lines, especially in Iran’s military capabilities. We will never accept it,” Jafari said, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.