WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware has become the 30th senator to back the Iran nuclear deal, as momentum for the White House-backed agreement grows.

Carper's announcement Friday puts Senate Democrats closer to two crucial vote totals. Thirty-four votes are needed to uphold a presidential veto of a resolution disapproving of the agreement. Forty-one votes would allow Democrats to block the resolution from passing in the first place next month.

In an opinion piece in The News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware, Carper says the deal is good for America and allies including Israel.

And Carper writes that "It beats the likely alternative - war with Iran - hands down."

Republicans are unanimously against the deal but so far only two Senate Democrats have announced opposition.