TEHRAN -- An international legal expert has affirmed that Iran’s demand for compensation from the United States over losses sustained during last month’s illegal U.S.-Israeli aggression is firmly grounded in established international law and precedent.
Reza Nasri, an international lawyer and analyst, made the remarks in a post on social media platform X on Friday, following Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s call for Washington to explain its unprovoked attack on Iran amid nuclear negotiations and pay reparations before talks can resume. The U.S. State Department dismissed Iran’s demand as “ridiculous.”
Nasri criticized Washington’s “arrogant” rejection, stating the real absurdity lies in the U.S. mocking a demand deeply rooted in binding international legal principles.
“Given Washington’s long-standing practice of shielding itself and its allies from accountability, it is unsurprising that it would reject enforcement of international law as ‘ridiculous,’” Nasri said.
He underscored that Iran’s claim for compensation is “firmly grounded in precedent and binding norms,” referencing key legal standards.
On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran, triggering a 12-day war that resulted in the martyrdom of at least 1,064 Iranians, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The United States also escalated the aggression by bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities, a serious violation of international law.
In response, Iranian forces struck strategic targets in the occupied territories and the U.S. Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military installation in West Asia. By June 24, Tehran’s successful retaliatory operations effectively halted the aggression.
Nasri emphasized that U.S. involvement in the attacks contravened Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force without Security Council authorization or a valid claim of self-defense.
“Under the International Law Commission’s Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, any unlawful act—including the illegal use of force—creates an obligation to make full reparation,” he said.
He further cited rulings by the International Court of Justice affirming the right to compensation, including the landmark Nicaragua v. United States (1986) and Corfu Channel (1949) cases.