United
States and Iran – From allies to enemy
Iran
faced huge economic crisis, and signed a nuclear accord with World
Powers. America withdrew from the accord and imposed sanctions. Iran challenged those sanctions in
International Court of Justice in July 2018.
The treaty
of Amity
Diplomatic
relations were severed following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran and
takeover of the U.S. Embassy and ensuing hostage crisis. However, the treaty
of Amity still remains in force.
Iran
alleged that the sanctions breach a 1955 bilateral agreement or known as the Treaty of Amity that regulates
and promotes economic and consular ties between the two countries. The treaty
was signed when the U.S. and Iran were still allies following the 1953
revolution fomented by Britain and the U.S. that ultimately cemented the rule
of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
International
Court of Justice Ruling
America
justified its sanction in International Court of Justice, however, The United
Nation’s highest court ordered on 3rd October 2018 to Unites States
to lift sanctions on Iran that effect imports of humanitarian goods and
products or services liked to the safety of civil aviation. This decision is legally binding; however US
administration may or may not comply with it as there are no forces to make
America to do so.
The
court instructed Washington to remove sanctions as export of medicine, devices,
food, agricultural commodities and spare parts to Iran is needed to ensure of
civil aviation.
The
court said that the Trump administration must “ensure that licenses and
necessary authorizations are granted” and payments not restricted if they
are linked to the humanitarian and aviation goods.
The
court also told both the United States and Iran to “refrain from any
action which might aggravate or extend the dispute.”
Iranian
state television trumpeted the court’s decision in a scrolling graphic at the
bottom of TV screens: “The victory of Tehran over Washington by the Hague
Court.”
However, after court ruling, the US has cancelled the treaty of 1955 at which the case was based, and this is not the solution for the conflict between both the nations.
