Iranian President Hopes ICJ Ruling Would Curb US Sanctions

“I hope that the initial verdict issued by The Hague’s international court (ICJ) would have an impact on the US government’s illegal behavior, including the inhuman sanctions,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with the Netherlands’ new ambassador to Tehran on Tuesday.

He also called for collective efforts to preserve and save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew in May.

Rouhani further bemoaned the fact that a number of individuals who have claimed responsibility for a September 22 terrorist attack in Iran’s southwestern city of Ahvaz are residing in the European countries, stressing that Europe’s action against those terrorists could build trust and help enhance relations with Iran.

The Dutch envoy, for his part, voiced his country’s full support for the Iran nuclear deal, saying the Netherlands is resolved to broaden banking relations with Iran in order to prevent the US sanctions from harming Iran’s economy.

Amsterdam has called on Dutch business people and merchants to have an active presence in Iran, the ambassador noted.

Back in February, the foreign minister of the Netherlands, Sigrid Kaag, traveled to Tehran for talks with high-ranking Iranian officials on bilateral, regional and international issues.

During her meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, she emphasized that the Netherlands backs the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and its implementation.

She also highlighted the EU’s commitment to implementing the JCPOA during a meeting at the time with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, calling for continued negotiations with Iran as part of a trust-building process for cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

Iran has recently enhanced political contacts with foreign countries in a bid to save the 2015 nuclear deal after the US exit.