Congress should vote to ratify any agreement reached between the United States and Iran to end the conflict between them, as congressional approval would make the accord more durable and less vulnerable to future administrations, Sen. James Lankford told NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday.

The Oklahoma Republican said "it is best if it is ratified by Congress; it has a more lasting effect on it," adding that President Donald Trump is seeking to permanently end decades of Iranian aggression against Americans, U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East.

Lankford contrasted the emerging agreement with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated during former President Barack Obama's administration, arguing that any accord reached by Trump would be more comprehensive and effective.

The Obama-era agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was never ratified by Congress, Lankford said.

"President Trump was right to be able to tear that up," he said, arguing that the previous deal merely delayed Iran's path toward developing a nuclear weapon rather than permanently eliminating the threat.

"That doesn't help the American people long term," Lankford said.

Lankford acknowledged that he has not reviewed the details of the proposed deal but said eliminating Iran's nuclear ambitions, ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open and curbing Tehran's support for regional instability would represent significant achievements.

"Not having a nuclear program, not having a closed Strait of Hormuz, and not having a terrorist nation actually terrorize the rest of its neighbors and the United States, would be a huge gain for us," he said.