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ICJ says US attacks on Iranian oil platforms unjustified
United Nations, Nov 15: The International Court of Justice has found that united states` attacks on Iranian oil platforms in late 80s could not be `justified` on security grounds but rejected Tehran`s claim for reparations under a treaty between the two countries.
United Nations, Nov 15: The International Court of Justice has found that united states' attacks on Iranian oil platforms in late 80s could not be "justified" on security grounds but rejected Tehran's claim for reparations under a treaty between the two countries.
The judgment, delivered by the principal UN judicial body last week, is binding on both parties and cannot be appealed.
By a vote of 14 to 2, the court said it could not uphold submission by Iran that the US actions against Iranian oil platforms on October 19, 1987 and April 28, 1988 "constitute a breach of the obligations" by the us under the 1955 bilateral treaty of amity economic relations and consular rights.
It said Iran's claim for reparation "cannot be upheld."
However, the court ruled that the us actions against the oil platforms "cannot be justified as measures necessary to protect the essential security interest" of the United States under the same treaty, "as interpreted in the light of international law on the use of force."
In seeking damages, Iran had contended that by attacking and destroying three offshore oil production complexes, US had violated freedom of commerce as guaranteed by the 1955 treaty.
The court said that the platforms destroyed in the first attack were under repair and thus not engaged in bilateral oil trade. As for the second attack, it occurred when all trade in crude between the US and Iran was suspended as a result of an oil embargo imposed by US authorities.
The judges also ruled 15-1 against US counter-claim that Iran had breached the same treaty when it attacked vessels in Persian Gulf and engaged in certain military actions.
Bureau Report
By a vote of 14 to 2, the court said it could not uphold submission by Iran that the US actions against Iranian oil platforms on October 19, 1987 and April 28, 1988 "constitute a breach of the obligations" by the us under the 1955 bilateral treaty of amity economic relations and consular rights.
It said Iran's claim for reparation "cannot be upheld."
However, the court ruled that the us actions against the oil platforms "cannot be justified as measures necessary to protect the essential security interest" of the United States under the same treaty, "as interpreted in the light of international law on the use of force."
In seeking damages, Iran had contended that by attacking and destroying three offshore oil production complexes, US had violated freedom of commerce as guaranteed by the 1955 treaty.
The court said that the platforms destroyed in the first attack were under repair and thus not engaged in bilateral oil trade. As for the second attack, it occurred when all trade in crude between the US and Iran was suspended as a result of an oil embargo imposed by US authorities.
The judges also ruled 15-1 against US counter-claim that Iran had breached the same treaty when it attacked vessels in Persian Gulf and engaged in certain military actions.
Bureau Report