WASHINGTON — Congress sent President Barack Obama a bill that would bar Iran’s choice for ambassador to the United Nations from stepping on U.S. soil in an outcry over the prospect of a member of the group responsible for the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Teheran entering the country.

The House unanimously approved the legislation today by voice vote, four days after a similar vote in the Senate. The unusually quick action underscored the strong bipartisan opposition to Iran’s choice.

American officials have objected to the selection of Hamid Abutalebi because of his alleged participation in a Muslim student group that held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days in the 1979 incident.

The Obama administration has told Iran the choice is unacceptable in a clear attempt to get Tehran to back down and make another selection. The dispute comes amid nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers.

The bill would impose a blanket prohibition, denying entry to the United States to an individual found to be engaged in espionage, terrorism or a threat to national security.

Denying visas to U.N. ambassadorial nominees or to foreign heads of state who want to attend United Nations events in the United States is rare, if not unprecedented.