The Obama administration began carrying out the Iran nuclear deal Thursday as time expired on Republican efforts to derail it, appointing a senior diplomat to ensure that Tehran moves further away from bomb-making capability and outlining a months-long process before Western nations will start easing economic sanctions.
The US State Department on Thursday named Stephen Mull as "lead coordinator for Iran nuclear implementation."
Mull, who has served as ambassador to Poland and in other top diplomatic posts, takes on the "crucial" responsibility of shepherding an agreement "which will make the United States, our friends and allies in the Middle East, and the entire world safer," Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Senators failed to reach the 60-vote threshold for a measure to keep all sanctions in place on Iran until it recognizes Israel and releases all imprisoned Americans, and then on a resolution expressing disapproval of the nuclear agreement.