February 3rd, the International Court of Justice ruled that this main judicial organ of the United Nations has jurisdiction over Iran v. the United States Violation of the 1955 Treaty of Friendship, and the U.S. objection was invalid.
Abdel-Qawi Ahmed Yousuf, President of the International Court of Justice, said that the court “finally found” jurisdiction over the case, and the judges “unanimous rejected” the “preliminary objection” made by the United States on the grounds that the disputed matter in the case was not related to the 1955 Treaty of Amity.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif called it another legal victory for Iran and that “it is time for the United States to fulfill its international obligations”.
U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. was “disappointed” with the ruling of the International Court of Justice.
At the next stage of this case, we will explain why Iran’s claim is groundless.”
In July 2018, Iran filed a lawsuit against the International Court of Justice over the withdrawal of the U.S. government from the Iran Nuclear Comprehensive Agreement and the resumption of sanctions against Iran led by then-Republican President Donald Trump, accusing the United States of violating the Treaty of Friendship between Economic Relations and Consular Rights signed by the two countries in 1955.
The United States maintains that the International Court of Justice has no jurisdiction over the case and is not admissible.
At the same time, it advocates the need to impose sanctions on Iran on the grounds that Iran poses a “se grave threat” to international security.
In October 2018, the International Court of Justice issued a “interim measure” in this case, that is, a preliminary ruling, requiring the United States to lift some sanctions against Iran, mainly involving the import of food, agricultural products, drugs, medical devices and passenger aircraft parts and equipment “at stake in civil aviation safety”.
The United States subsequently announced the termination of the Treaty of Amity.
AFP reported that it may take months or even years for the International Court of Justice to make a final decision on this case.
The International Court of Justice is located in The Hague, the Netherlands. It became fully operational in 1946. It is responsible for hearing litigation cases submitted by States to the Court in disputes between States.
The ruling is legally binding, but cannot be enforced by the parties.
Joseph Biden, the current Democratic president of the United States, supports a return to the Iran nuclear agreement, but insists that Iran fully resume the implementation of the agreement and cancel countermeasures such as expanding uranium enrichment activities.
