In case you missed it — and given the uproar over Trump’s Helsinki comments (covered here) — you probably did…
On Tuesday, the U.S. got sued — by Iran.
Huh?
The filing was over President Trump’s new sanctions following withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. According to the lawsuit, the sanctions are in violation of a treaty over a decade old.
According to Reuters, Iran submitted the claim to the International Court of Justice (what the heck is that?), aka the World Court.
The ICJ is the United Nations’ body for settling international disputes.
Hmmm…
The claim is that ol’ USA “has violated and continued to violate multiple provisions” of the Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations and Consular Rights, which was signed in 1955.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif released a statement Monday…via Twitter (yes, Iran’s leader tweets, too):
“Today Iran filed a complaint @CIJ_ICJ to hold US accountable for its unlawful re-imposition of unilateral sanctions. Iran is committed to the rule of law in the face of US contempt for diplomacy & legal obligations. It’s imperative to counter its habit of violating int’l law.”
Today Iran filed a complaint @CIJ_ICJ to hold US accountable for its unlawful re-imposition of unilateral sanctions. Iran is committed to the rule of law in the face of US contempt for diplomacy & legal obligations. It's imperative to counter its habit of violating int'l law.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 16, 2018
Personally, I’m a little uncomfortable with the idea of a “world court.” The same goes for “international law.” Of course, keeping treaties is important. But, the U.S. has already argued — related to a suit filed by Iran in 2016 regarding the same treaty — that the International Court of Justice has no jurisdiction.
Nevertheless, hearings will begin in October.
Geez. We’re being taken to Planetary Court?
I hope it’s Judge Joe Brown.
Might as well be — the ICJ has no authority in enforcing its decisions. As noted by Reuters, sometimes countries (like this one) just ignore its ruling.
What are your thoughts on the suit in particular, and on the World Court in general?
For something totally different, please see my articles on whether Americans want Roe v. Wade overturned, a Comedy Central writer’s wish for the murder of Justice Kennedy, and my political deconstruction of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
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