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US Challenges ICJ Jurisdiction on Iran’s Petition Against Sanctions

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US Challenges ICJ Jurisdiction on Iran’s Petition Against Sanctions

In a major turn of event in the US-Iran tangle, the US administration has challenged the UN’s top court’s jurisdiction to rule on Iran’s demand for the suspension of recently re-imposed nuclear-related sanctions on the country.

Responding to Iran’s allegations of US breaching 1955 treaty with its decision to re-impose sanctions after withdrawal from the multilateral nuclear agreement, US State department lawyer Jennifer Newstead argued that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague “lacks prima facie jurisdiction to hear Iran’s claims.”

“This case is entirely about an attempt to compel the US by order of this court to resume” the 2015 nuclear deal, Newstead said.

Earlier on Monday, Iran argued that US President Donald Trump breached a 1955 treaty with his decision to re-impose sanctions after withdrawing from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.  Iran’s lawyers said the sanctions were threatening the welfare of its citizens and disrupting tens of billions of dollars worth of business deals.

Iran’s lead representative in the case, Mohsen Mohebi, branded the sanctions “naked economic aggression” saying, “The United States is publicly propagating a policy intended to damage as severely as possible Iran’s economy and Iranian nationals and companies.”

He vowed that “Iran will put up the strongest resistance to the US economic strangulation by all peaceful means.”

Newstead said the US has the right to protect its national security and other interests. She said that the treaty “cannot, therefore, provide a basis for this court’s jurisdiction” in the case. She held Iran to blame for its economic woes saying, they have “deep roots in the Iranian government’s mismanagement of its own economy and repression of its own population.”

US Challenges ICJ Jurisdiction on Iran’s Petition Against SanctionsOn Monday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said in a statement that “Iran’s filing with the ICJ is an attempt to interfere with the sovereign rights of the United States to take lawful actions, including re-imposition of sanctions, which are necessary to protect our national security. The proceedings instituted by Iran are a misuse of the Court.”

Sanctions on Iran were lifted in January 2016 under the 2015 multilateral nuclear accord generally known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and signed by five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany P5+1. In return, Iran committed not to develop nuclear weapons.

However, Trump, while campaigning for 2016 Presidential elections and also after assuming office reiterated that the deal did not do enough to curb the alleged threat from Iran. He pulled the US out of the accord in May this year and began re-imposing sanctions earlier this month. Second phase of sanctions will be imposed in November.

Iran will respond to US arguments on Wednesday. The ICJ is expected to take several weeks to decide whether to grant Tehran’s request. A final decision could take years. Its judgments are binding, final and without appeal, however, it has no power to enforce its decisions.

US Challenges ICJ Jurisdiction on Iran’s Petition Against SanctionsUS and Iran do not have diplomatic relations. The US embassy building in Tehran was stormed by revolutionary students post 1979 Islamic revolution making diplomats hostages for 444 days. At present the US embassy building has been converted into a museum generally known as “Den of Spies”.

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India rejects Pakistan’s claims over Karachi attack, asks Islamabad to look inward

India has strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations over the Karachi attack, asking Islamabad to focus on addressing terrorism within its own borders.

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India on Sunday strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations linking New Delhi to the recent militant attack in Karachi, describing the accusations as “baseless” and urging Islamabad to focus on tackling terrorism operating from within its own borders.

Responding to the claims, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should “look inward” rather than blame other countries for its internal security challenges. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India categorically rejects the allegations and termed them an attempt to divert attention from Pakistan’s domestic issues.

The remarks came after Pakistan alleged Indian involvement in the attack on a Pakistan Rangers headquarters in Karachi. Pakistani authorities claimed that militants targeted the security installation, leading to casualties among security personnel. However, India dismissed the accusations and reiterated its longstanding position that Pakistan must take credible action against terrorism and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

Karachi attack and Pakistan’s allegations

According to Pakistani authorities, militants launched an assault on the Rangers’ provincial headquarters in Karachi, triggering an exchange of gunfire. At least three Rangers personnel were killed, while security forces said several attackers were neutralised during the operation. A militant group linked to the Pakistani Taliban reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

Despite these developments, Pakistan alleged external involvement in the attack, accusations that India has firmly denied. New Delhi maintained that Islamabad should concentrate on eliminating terrorist networks rather than making unsupported allegations against other countries.

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Pakistan hit by 5.5-magnitude earthquake, no casualties or damage reported

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Pakistan on Friday, with authorities reporting no immediate casualties or significant damage.

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earthquake-tremors

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Pakistan on Friday, sending tremors across several parts of the country. However, authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant property damage.

According to seismic monitoring agencies, the earthquake was recorded at a considerable depth, which may have reduced the impact on the surface. Residents in several cities reported feeling the tremors, prompting many to move outdoors as a precaution.

Emergency and disaster management authorities began assessing the situation soon after the quake. Initial assessments indicated that no major damage to infrastructure or loss of life had been reported. Officials continue to monitor the situation for possible aftershocks.

Pakistan lies in a seismically active region due to the interaction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence in several parts of the country.

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Twin earthquakes strike Venezuela within 39 seconds, triggering panic in Caracas

Venezuela witnessed two powerful earthquakes within 39 seconds, triggering panic in Caracas, damaging infrastructure and leading authorities to declare a state of emergency.

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Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within just 39 seconds, causing widespread panic, damaging buildings and disrupting key infrastructure in and around the capital, Caracas.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured magnitude 7.2 and struck on Wednesday evening near the coastal town of Moron. Just 39 seconds later, a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor hit roughly 45 kilometres away, creating what seismologists described as a “doublet” earthquake sequence.

The back-to-back quakes sent residents rushing into the streets as buildings shook violently across Caracas. Several structures suffered severe damage, with reports of building collapses in parts of the capital. Rescue workers were deployed to search through rubble while emergency teams assessed the extent of the destruction.

Visuals shared on social media showed scenes of chaos at Simon Bolivar International Airport, where parts of the terminal roof reportedly collapsed, filling sections of the facility with dust and smoke. Passengers were seen evacuating the airport as power flickered during the tremors. Authorities later announced the closure of the airport because of significant damage.

More than 20 aftershocks were recorded following the twin earthquakes, raising concerns about additional structural damage. The USGS warned that the disaster could result in significant casualties and economic losses, while landslides were also reported in affected areas.

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency following the earthquakes and urged citizens to remain cautious as emergency response efforts continued. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado also expressed solidarity with those affected by the disaster.

The earthquakes are being described as among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century. Authorities continue to assess the full scale of the damage and search for possible victims trapped beneath collapsed structures.

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