The United States told the UN’s top court it has no jurisdiction to rule on Iran’s demand for the suspension of nuclear-related sanctions recently reimposed on the country.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague “lacks prima facie jurisdiction to hear Iran’s claims”, US State Department lawyer Jennifer Newstead argued on Tuesday.
During the first hearing of the case on Monday, Iran argued that US President Donald Trump breached a 1955 treaty with his decision to reimpose sanctions after withdrawing from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Newstead said the US has the right to protect its national security and other interests.
She said the treaty “cannot, therefore, provide a basis for this court’s jurisdiction” in the case.