Iran files lawsuit against US for re-imposing and tightening sanctions. This was announced by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Teheran believes that the US government's decision in May to withdraw from the nuclear agreement and reinstate punitive measures against Iran is unlawful. The country refers to a bilateral friendship and trade agreement with the US in 1955.
Iran also requested an injunction against the US. Pending a final settlement, the United Nations Supreme Court should order the US to suspend any sanctions against Iran. When the lawsuit is being heard is not yet known. Decisions of the UN Court are binding. However, the US rejects the court. Anyone who refuses to recognize the court can not be prosecuted by it.
The current US President intends to reinstate the sanctions imposed by the US under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in the wake of the agreement in two phases, starting in August or November. He wants to prevent Tehran doing business with European and other foreign companies, including oil exports.
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) called the lawsuit an inevitable step. The US had disregarded international norms and their contractual obligations. "At least this should be registered in The Hague," said AEOI spokesman Behrus Kamalwandi. The complaint should underline the legitimate Iranian position in the nuclear dispute. Short-term results, however, the spokesman considered unlikely.