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16 September 2013 - 19:14

The European Court of Justice has struck down the European Union’s sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and seven other Iranian companies, the IRISL chief says.

Mohammad Hossein Dajmar, managing director of IRISL, said that EU’s “illegal and unilateral” against the IRISL were thrown out on Monday by the European court following months of efforts by Iran.


“This big success further puts the seal of approval on the rightfulness of the IRISL and the baselessness of the accusations leveled [against the Iranian firm],” Dajmar said.

In 2011, the EU targeted over 30 IRISL holding companies as part of Western-led sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic over allegations of diversion in its nuclear energy program.

Following the sanctions, several IRISL vessels were temporarily seized in foreign ports.

The European court’s ruling on IRISL comes following the September 8 ruling against sanctions imposed on Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC) for its alleged links to Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Also on September 6, the court rejected sanctions imposed against eight Iranian banks and companies for the same reason.

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with the US and European Union using the claim as an excuse to impose illegal sanctions against Tehran.

Iran has categorically rejected the allegation, stressing that as a committed member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities, but has never found any evidence showing that Tehran's civilian nuclear program has been diverted toward military objectives.

 

News ID 185286