A US lawyer says Iran should seek an 'international equivalent of a temporary
restraining order' to compel the US to abandon war threats.
Francis Boyle, a Professor of International Law at the University of Illinois,
proposes Iran sue world powers for threatening to launch military strikes
against the country over its nuclear program.
Francis Boyle: Iran Should Sue to Stop US Attack Part I
Francis Boyle: Iran Should Sue to Stop US Attack Part II
Iran has cited diplomacy as the only acceptable means for clarifying the nature
of its program. The West, however, accuses Iran of making efforts to develop
nuclear weaponry.
While claiming to be committed to a diplomatic solution to Tehran's nuclear
standoff, the US and Israel have repeatedly threatened to launch a military
strike against Iran should the country continue uranium enrichment.
As a sign of commitment to diplomacy, Washington took part in a July 19 meeting
between Iran and the five permanent members of the UNSC plus Germany.
Despite being advertised by various US officials as a 'U-turn' policy toward
Tehran, Washington's commitment to negotiations was a 'one-time' offer limited
to 'listening' rather than 'contributing'.
After the talks, the Bush administration gave Iran two weeks to respond to the
'freeze or freeze' proposal under which Iran would have to freeze the expansion
of its enrichment program for six weeks and the US would, in return, freeze
lobbying for more anti-Iran sanctions.
"If the United States government is not prepared to engage in reasonable direct
unconditional good faith negotiations with Iran, then my advice is the Iranian
government (should) go forward with these lawsuits," said Professor Boyle.
"Iran should sue them at the World Court and protect itself, and then by means
of the World Court proceedings, force negotiations," he added.
