Tehran Court Seizes and Sells US Oil Cargo in Ruling Against US Sanctions
A court in Tehran has enforced a ruling against the US government, seizing and selling a cargo of oil belonging to the United States. The case was brought by 771 Iranian patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa (EB), who claimed that US sanctions prevented them from accessing essential medicines.
The patients, under the supervision of a non-governmental organization representing EB patients, sought material and punitive damages for what they described as unlawful and unjust US sanctions. The court official stated that an enforcement order was issued after the case resulted in a final ruling, which was formally served on the parties.
According to the official, a US oil tanker was seized in 2023, and its cargo was unloaded and sold in accordance with judicial orders and Iran's Civil Enforcement Law. The proceeds from the sale were deposited into the account of Iran's judiciary, and further orders were issued to distribute the funds in accordance with the court's ruling.
The head of Branch 55 of Tehran's International Affairs Court stated that all required legal procedures had been completed, and the US government was held accountable for its actions. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly regarding economic sanctions and access to essential medicines.