President Barack Obama did something good and wise this week. He refused to veto a bill from Congress renewing authority for U.S. officials to use economic sanctions against Iran.

Obama did major damage in agreeing — without lawmakers’ approval — to a deal under which Iran is supposed to stop trying to build nuclear weapons. As we have pointed out, the deal has holes in it big enough to drive a nuclear missile carrier through.

Obama also authorized giving Iran tens of billions of dollars seized by the United States years ago. And he lifted some economic sanctions.

What he allowed to become law without either his signature or a veto was a bill that permits U.S. officials to reinstate sanctions if Iran cheats on the weapons deal.

Iranian officials are furious about that. Their anger and threats of retribution merely demonstrate why the U.S. authority is needed.