TERROR VICTIMS
‘Unclean Iran’ not fit to sue, says US official
Washington said Iran’s 'support for international terrorism', including bombings and airline hijackings, should disqualify it from being heard
The US has accused Tehran of having "unclean hands" as it fights an Iranian court bid to unfreeze $2bn earmarked by Washington for terror victims. On Monday Washington said Iran’s "support for international terrorism", including bombings and airline hijackings, should disqualify it from being heard at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Iran took Washington to the UN’s top court in 2016 over a US supreme court ruling that the $2bn should go to victims of attacks blamed on the Islamic republic. Iran said the case breached a 1955 "Treaty of Amity" between Washington and Tehran signed before Iran’s Islamic revolution. Washington tore up that treaty last week after the ICJ in a separate case ordered the US to ease sanctions reimposed on Tehran by US President Donald Trump after he pulled out of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal. "Iran comes to the court with unclean hands. Indeed, it is a remarkable show of bad faith," Richard Visek, a legal official from the US state departme...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.