The International Court of Justice (ICJ) [official website] ruled [order, PDF] on Wednesday that the US must lift its sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran that affect imports of humanitarian goods as well as products and services linked to the safety of civil aviation.

The US sanctions against Iran were reimposed in May and August [JURIST reports] after President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (commonly referred to as the Iran Nuclear Deal). In July Iran brought suit [JURIST report] against the US in the ICJ alleging that the sanctions violate a 1955 bilateral agreement known as the US-Iran Treaty of Amity [text, PDF].

In its unanimous decision, the ICJ held that:

the United States, in accordance with its obligations under the 1955 Treaty, must remove, by means of its choosing, any impediments arising from the measures announced on 8 May 2018 to the free exportation to the territory of Iran of goods required for humanitarian needs, such as (i) medicines and medical devices; and (ii) foodstuffs and agricultural commodities; as well as goods and services required for the safety of civil aviation, such as (iii) spare parts, equipment and associated services (including warranty, maintenance, repair services and safety-related inspections) necessary for civil aircraft. To this end, the United States must ensure that licences (sic) and necessary authorizations are granted and that payments and other transfers of funds are not subject to any restriction in so far as they relate to the goods and services referred to above.

However, the ICJ refused to grant Iran’s call for sweeping measures against other US sanctions and ordered both parties to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute.

Although the ICJ’s ruling is binding, there is no enforcement mechanism, and the Trump administration has stated that the ICJ has no jurisdiction over this matter as it involves national security.