This photo released by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Feb 3, 2012 shows a general view of the court. (FRANK VAN BEEK / UN-ICJ / AFP)
THE HAGUE – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Wednesday said that it has jurisdiction to rule in a case brought in by Iran against the United States in a bid to end sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
During the hearings in September last year, lawyers of the United States had requested judges at the principal judicial organ of the United Nations to drop the case. However, on Wednesday a majority of the panel of 16 judges rejected the objection by the US and found that the ICJ has jurisdiction in the case.
In 2018, Iran requested the judges at the ICJ to order the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed to Iran by the United States
In 2018, Iran requested the judges at the ICJ to order the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed to Iran by the United States. The lawsuit followed the decision by then US President Donald Trump to quit the nuclear agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015.
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In addition, the US announced the reinstatement in full effect of US nuclear sanctions on Iran and a high level of economic sanctions, targeting, directly or indirectly, Iran and Iranian companies and/or nationals.
After this reinstatement of the sanctions, Iran started proceedings against the United States before the ICJ. According to Iran, the US violated a 1955 friendship treaty between the two countries, the Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights, and requested the Court to indicate provisional measures.
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Tehran booked a first jurisdictional win in the case in October 2018 when the ICJ issued an interim order to lift restrictive measures linked to humanitarian trade, food, medicine and civil aviation while the lawsuit is pending. The US responded by formally ending the Treaty of Amity with Iran.
A final judgment in the case can take years. The role of the ICJ is to settle legal disputes submitted to it by states and give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies, in accordance with international law.