29 Mar 2024
Tuesday 26 April 2016 - 16:35
Story Code : 211338

Leader's top aide: US seizure of Iran's assets instance of theft

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Supreme Leader's Top Advisor for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati condemned the recent ruling by the US Supreme Court which authorized the transfer of $2 billion of Tehran's frozen assets to the families of the victims of a 1983 bombing in Beirut, describing the act as a blatant instance of theft and "international robbery".

"The measure shows the US officials' contradictory remarks that they stress their commitment to undertakings and removal of sanctions in talks with the Iranian foreign minister on one hand and impose sanctions in other forms and rock the boat on the way of legal and free trade relations between Iran and other countries on the other hand," Velayati told reporters after meeting Swiss Deputy Foreign Minister Yves Rossier in Tehran on Tuesday.

"No doubt, this action is an international robbery and the Islamic Republic of Iran will insist on restoring its rights and will take its right from the Americans," he added.

Velayati underscored that the only way to confront the Americans is resistance against their excessive demands.

In relevant remarks on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari deplored the US measure, warning that it will increase the Iranian people's distrust of Washington.

"Legally, the measure is against the primary principles of the international rights and laws," Jaberi Ansari told reporters in Tehran.

"To the Iranian nation and government, this action means that the US is not at all resolved to end the long period of mistrust and behavior towards the Iranian nation and its interests," he added.

"Such action only worsens the past situation," Jaberi Ansari said.

Also yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blasted the ruling, stressing that Iran doesnt recognize the ruling.

"The US has long been taking decisions against Iran which contradict the international laws and the Americans have filed different lawsuits against Iran during the past years; (but) we dont recognize the US courts' rulings," Zarif said in a joint press conference with his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Poposki in Tehran on Monday.

Noting that he has raised the issue during his recent meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in New York on the sidelines of a UN conference, the Iranian top diplomat said, "We see the US administration as the responsible body with regard to this issue and if they encroach (confiscate Iran's assets), we will claim compensation from the US administration."

Zarif also announced formation of a special committee in the government to study the US decision to transfer Iran's assets.

In 2012, the US Congress passed a law that specifically directed the US-based Citibank to turn over the Iranian assets to families of victims of the Beirut bombing.

Iran argues that Congress is intruding into the business of federal courts over the case. Tehran has long rejected allegations of involvement in the 1983 Beirut bombing.

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that almost $2bn in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a US Marine Corps barracks in the Lebanese capital of Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.

Also, on Friday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi underlined that the recent ruling by the US Supreme Court contradicts and violates the international laws and regulations.

"The move is exactly in violation of the international law and it can be considered as an international robbery," Araqchi told reporters in Vienna.

He reiterated that the cash belongs to the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) and it is subject to international immunity.

"We do not officially recognize the US court's decision because it has confiscated and in fact robbed Iranian assets in a completely non-judicial manner by violating the international norms," Araqchi said.

By Fars News Agency
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