Iranian Space Agency Filing Lawsuit Against US Sanctions

EghtesadOnline: Iran is set to file a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice against the US for “illegitimately imposing sanctions against the Iranian Space Agency”, the agency’s chief says.

News ID: ۷۴۸۵۱۴

23 September 2019

Morteza Barari also took to Twitter on Sunday to announce the decision.

The ISA chief told Financial Tribune, “The underhand US move impedes the implementation of goals set by UNOOSA.”

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is tasked with implementing the decisions of the UN General Assembly over the peaceful use of outer space, Financial Tribune reported.

Barari noted that “the imposition of illegal US sanctions, based on irrational arguments” goes against international norms.

In early September, the United States imposed sanctions on Iran’s civilian space agency and two research organizations.

The US Treasury sanctions targeted ISA, Iran Space Research Center and the Astronautics Research Institute, according to a statement on its website.

Earlier, the ICT Ministry’s website quoted Barari as saying that Iran will develop three satellites before the end of the current fiscal year (March 19, 2020).

“Despite [US] sanctions against Tehran, Iran is set to develop three satellites before the current Iranian year ends,” he added.

Calling space sciences and the country’s space program a strategic field, Barari said Iran has made remarkable headway in the field.

According to the ISA director, the space program includes satellite data analysis and “must play a pivotal role in countering natural and manmade disasters”.

Barari noted that space industries can contribute to the country’s economic development, while stressing the pivotal role satellite imagery and analysis can play in crop management.

“There is no need to emphasize the importance of satellite data in navigation and trade,” he said.