US to Defend Against Iran Lawsuit Over Sanctions: Mike Pompeo

Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that Washington will defend itself in a case brought up by Iran in The Hague to protest the US exit of the landmark Iran nuclear deal, and US re-imposition of sanctions that were lifted under the deal.

In a statement, Pompeo said that Iran's filing with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) "is an attempt to interfere with the sovereign rights of the US to take lawful actions, including re-imposition of sanctions, which are necessary to protect our national security".

Iran brought the case to the United Nations' highest court last month to challenge the US decision to leave the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and to reimpose the sanctions that were suspended as part of that deal, Xinhua reported.

Earlier on Monday, the opening day of court hearings in The Hague, the Netherlands, Iran requested that judges at the ICJ order the immediate lifting of US sanctions. "The sanctions are unjust and harmful," said Mohsen Mohebi, head of the international legal affairs center of the Iranian President's office. "The sanctions are damaging the economy of Iran, and driving millions of people into poverty." Pompeo said: "The proceedings instituted by Iran are a misuse of the Court," adding that Washington "will vigorously defend against Iran's meritless claims this week in The Hague," and to continue to work with allies to counter Iran's regional influence and ballistic missile program. (IANS)