Iran Issues $2.6b Verdict Against US Over Alleged Terrorist Support

The Iranian government, long accused of being a primary supporter of terrorism, has issued a verdict condemning Washington for alleged assistance to the Jundallah terrorist group.

The Judiciary's announcement reveals that, following a lawsuit filed by 93 plaintiffs, including victims and survivors of the 2010 Chabahar suicide bombing, a special branch dealing with international lawsuits issued a verdict against the US government.

The incident, which took place on December 14, 2010, involved two suicide bombers targeting a Shia Muslim mourning procession in Chabahar, killing 39 people and injuring nearly 70.

Iran accuses Washington of orchestrating the attack and supporting the Jundullah group, a Sunni extremist rebel group that claimed responsibility for the bombing. US officials have not reacted to the accusation.

As part of the verdict, Iran claims “the US government has been ordered to pay a total of $290m for 58 injured ones of the terrorist incident (equivalent to $5m per claimant) and $140m for 35 family members of the victims (equivalent to $4m per claimant) as material damages.”

Additionally, Washington is sentenced to pay a total of $744 million for 93 claimants (equivalent to $8m per claimant) as “emotional damages.” The court has further condemned the US government to pay “punitive damages” equal to twice the emotional damages, totaling $1.488b, along with covering litigation costs and attorney fees.

In this case, the collective order for the defendant amounts to $2.662b.

Facing scrutiny for backing terrorist groups such as Hamas and the Yemeni Houthis, Tehran is seemingly attempting to shift blame onto the US to alleviate international pressure on itself.