Iran to pursue human rights cases against US, seize assets: judiciary chief

Iran's Judiciary Chief, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, declared on Sunday that the Islamic Republic intends to pursue legal action against the United States in international courts. He also stated that Iranian authorities would begin seizing American assets, "if our access becomes possible." The announcement was made during an event titled "American Human Rights Week," which focused on alleged human rights violations by the US.

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From now on, if we gain access to the properties of criminal Americans, we will seize and confiscate them in accordance with the legal ruling of the courts.

Ejei claimed that Iranian courts had already issued rulings against American officials for "crimes against our people." While acknowledging Iran's limited ability to seize property, he asserted that Iran had previously seized an American ship "for the benefit of compatriots who have suffered losses from American crimes." He promised that if access to the properties of "criminal Americans" is gained, they will be seized and confiscated according to court rulings.

This statement follows Iran's seizure of the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Advantage Sweet in the Gulf of Oman in 2023. The vessel carried crude oil destined for Texas, owned by the American energy giant Chevron. In March 2024, an Iranian court ruled in favor of patients suing the US government over sanctions that allegedly prevented Iran from importing medicine for a rare skin disease, leading to deaths and suffering. The court ordered the US government to pay $6.8 billion in damages.

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Seizing a vessel with an American-owned cargo, even if the sailors and the hull aren’t American, gives Iran a way to keep the US on a string for years to come, and that could make it very difficult for the US majors to do business in the Gulf.

Military historian Dr. Lynette Nusbacher commented that seizing a vessel with American-owned cargo, even without American crew or hull, provides Iran leverage over the US for years. She suggested this could significantly complicate business for major US companies in the Gulf. Nusbacher also advised Gulf monarchies to proceed cautiously, needing to maintain good relations with Iran until they can secure their oil shipments from ports beyond Iranian reach.

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Whatever relationships they build or rebuild globally, they will need to keep the Iranians sweet, at least until they’re able to ship their oil from ports the Iranians can’t hit.