Iran's Protest Against Canadian Court Ruling on Compensation Payment

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry has deemed the Ontario court's ruling regarding compensation payments to the families of American victims of 'terrorist' attacks by Hezbollah and Hamas from Iran's non-diplomatic assets as 'invalid' and contrary to the new Canadian government's expressed desire to normalize relations. According to the state news agency IRNA, Hossein Jaberi Ansari on Saturday, June 22, described the ruling as 'a political decision based on unfounded claims regarding Iran's so-called support for terrorist groups.' He stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran views this ruling as a new step in the path of 'the hostile policies of the previous extremist government' of Canada, which he claims was 'overthrown by the people's vote.' He also asserted that 'any normalization' of relations between the two countries requires a 'fundamental revision' of the past Canadian government's 'extremist and incorrect' policies, including violations of Iran's judicial immunity. These statements, according to Mansour Farhang, a professor of international relations in the U.S., reflect 'ignorance of the separation of powers in democratic countries.' A court in Ontario, Canada, ruled that $13 million from Iran's non-diplomatic assets in the country should be paid as compensation to the families of American victims of kidnappings and attacks in Argentina, Israel, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia between 1983 and 2002. Canada, like the U.S., recognizes Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. This ruling comes two months after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling mandating the payment of $2 billion from frozen Iranian assets to the families of American victims of the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut and other Iran-related attacks. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that 'the recognition and enforcement of political and absentia rulings issued by American courts contradicts Canada's international obligations regarding the judicial immunity of states and their assets.' In this regard, Mansour Farhang, a former diplomat and professor of international relations in the U.S., told Radio Farda: 'In international relations, there is a principle called state immunity, which means that citizens of one country cannot sue another government in their courts, and this principle has been respected by countries.' He also pointed out that 'another principle of great importance is diplomatic immunity, under which diplomats and diplomatic premises must remain free from any assault.' Nevertheless, this international relations professor noted that 'Iran is the only country that does not accept diplomatic immunity.' The relationship between the previous conservative government in Canada and Iran had deteriorated to a very low level, with Canada labeling Iran as 'the greatest threat to world security' and abruptly closing its embassy in Tehran. However, Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, stated last February that he expects diplomatic contacts with Iran to be established. In addition to the new Canadian Prime Minister, Ali Ehsasi and Majid Jowhari, two Iranian-Canadian citizens who were elected to Parliament in the recent elections, also expressed hope that the embassies of the two countries would reopen. The results of the Canadian elections were welcomed by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, and Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, emphasized that Tehran has 'no major disagreements' with Canada and that discussions should take place to clarify some ambiguities regarding bilateral relations.