Israel Matzav: Obama's Justice Dept. argues against executing judgment against Iran

Obama's Justice Dept. argues against executing judgment against Iran

Remember the 1983 bombing of the Beirut marine barracks in which 241 US troops were murdered by Iranian-backed Hezbullah? Well, two years ago, a Federal court found Iran liable and imposed a $2.65 billion judgment against it. Now, the Obama Justice Department is arguing against the implementation of that judgment (Hat Tip: Barry Rubin).

But now, the Obama administration is going to court to try to block payments from Iranian assets that the families’ lawyers want seized, contending that it would jeopardize sensitive negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and establish a potentially damaging precedent.

In a little-noticed filing in federal court, the Justice Department is arguing that giving the money to the victims “can have significant, detrimental impact on our foreign relations, as well as the reciprocal treatment of the United States and its extensive overseas property holdings.’’

What negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program? What 'potentially damaging precedent'? Is the Obama administration worried that terrorist governments like Iran's will stop investing in the United States? Iran has already proven that it will just say "no" to any efforts to limit its nuclear program. Too bad the Obama administration cannot hear them.e 1983 bombing of the Beirut marine barracks in which 241 US troops were murdered by Iranian-backed Hezbullah? Well, two years ago, a Federal court found Iran liable and imposed a $2.65 billion judgment against it. Now, the Obama Justice Department is arguing against the implementation of that judgment (Hat Tip: Barry Rubin).

But now, the Obama administration is going to court to try to block payments from Iranian assets that the families’ lawyers want seized, contending that it would jeopardize sensitive negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and establish a potentially damaging precedent.

In a little-noticed filing in federal court, the Justice Department is arguing that giving the money to the victims “can have significant, detrimental impact on our foreign relations, as well as the reciprocal treatment of the United States and its extensive overseas property holdings.’’

What negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program? What 'potentially damaging precedent'? Is the Obama administration worried that terrorist governments like Iran's will stop investing in the United States? Iran has already proven that it will just say "no" to any efforts to limit its nuclear program. Too bad the Obama administration cannot hear them.

Israel Matzav: Obama's Justice Dept. argues against executing judgment against Iran