Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said that his country will go to the United Nations to compensate its nuclear plants. He said that Iran’s nuclear plants have suffered heavy losses in the US attack, for which the US will have to pay compensation and Iran will resort to international organization for this.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi had admitted that the US attack had caused heavy damage to three Iran’s nuclear plants Natanj, Fordo and Isfahan. Iran now wants America to compensate for this loss. But is it so easy to get compensation money from America and can a country demand compensation from the enemy country after war? Let’s know-
Can compensation be demanded from the enemy country after the war?
If a country suffers a huge loss due to war and if that country is able to prove that it was attacked by violating international laws, then that country can demand compensation from the enemy country.
This demand can be made through international laws and treaties. International human laws such as the United Nations Charter and Geneva Convention help to decide the responsibility of the damage done during the war and demand compensation.
Talking about Iran, Iran has clearly stated in the United Nations Security Council that American attacks on its nuclear bases are illegal and this has violated international laws.
What is the legal basis of demand for compensation as per international rules?
Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter instructs all countries to respect each other’s regional integrity and sovereignty. But if a country violates this rule, then the aggrieved country can demand compensation in lieu of illegal attack.
Iran can file a complaint for demanding compensation in the UN’s Security Council. However, it is going to be difficult for him to go to the Security Council to get compensation as five permanent members of the council (America, Russia, China, Britain, France) have the right to veto and China will not allow any of the three countries to pass any proposal of Iran except Russia.
Apart from this, the country can also move the International Court of Justice to demand compensation from the enemy country. The International Court has the right to pronounce decisions in matters related to compensation.
But here too, Iran will have problems because both sides must agree to file a case here. Secondly, the US does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Court. Even if Iran goes to the international court and its case is accepted, it may have to face a lot of stakes to get compensation money.
The aggrieved countries can also demand compensation on the basis of Geneva Convention and Hague Convention. Under these convention, any country can demand compensation in exchange for damage to citizens and infrastructure due to illegal attack.
What to prove to Iran to get the compensation amount?
Israel attacked Iran by accusing that Iran is making atomic bombs which is a threat to its existence. US President Trump also targeted Iran’s Fordo, Natanj and Isfahan nuclear plants, claiming the same. In such a situation, it can be difficult for Iran to prove that the attacks of Israel and America were illegal and they have violated international laws.
Iran’s nuclear program has already been disputed and there is no non-atomic-rich country other than Iran that has increased its uranium enhancement by 60%. In such a situation, it can also be difficult for Iran to get international support in this matter.
Which countries have received compensation for war
During the Second World War, German dictator Hitler caused huge havoc. After the war for this devastation, Germany had to pay compensation for the friendly countries, including countries like Israel, Poland, Greece and Yugoslavia. There is still a dispute between Poland and Germany over the loss caused during World War II.
Poland says that Germany did not give him enough compensation. Last year, Poland Foreign Minister Radoslav Sikorski had said that Germany should provide more financial assistance in return for the damage done by the Nazi army during World War II.
During the Iraq Kuwait War (1990-91), there is an example of compensation. The UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) was formed by the United Nations after Iraq’s attack on Kuwait. Under the rules of this commission, Iraq had compensated billions of dollars to Kuwait and other affected countries.