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Iran Scoffs at Paying $2.65B for Bombing

Tehran hints at countersuit in Beirut barracks case

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2007 6:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Iran reacted to a federal court ruling today by scoffing at paying a $2.65 billion penalty for its alleged role in a 1983 bombing, the AP reports. "The American judge's ruling is baseless," a spokesman said of yesterday's decision. "This ruling against Iran is politically motivated." Iran also denies any involvement in the US Marine barracks attack in Beirut, which killed 241 service members.

Iran hinted it may countersue; the spokesman said: "Americans have taken repeated measures contrary to legal principles." It also complains that the court's decision was "not legally defendable" because it was made "without listening to the other side's views." Iran ignored the suit for 6 years and refused to mount a defense.

Family members of those killed in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, stand outside the U.S. District Court House in Washington, Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judge ruled that Iran must pay $2.65 billion in damages to family members.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Family members of those killed in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, stand outside the U.S. District Court House in Washington, Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judge ruled that Iran...   (Associated Press)
Shirley Morry, who lost her brother Ulysses Parker in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, wipes away tears as she stands with other family members outside U.S. District Court House in Washington,  Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judge ruled against Iran in the bombing.  (AP Photo/Evan...
Shirley Morry, who lost her brother Ulysses Parker in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, wipes away tears as she stands with other family members outside U.S. District Court House in Washington,...   (Associated Press)
Shirley Morry, who lost her brother Ulysses Parker in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, right, stands with Roxanne Garcia-Bates, who lost her brother Randy Garcia, and other family members outside the U.S. District Court House in Washington, Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judgment against Iran...
Shirley Morry, who lost her brother Ulysses Parker in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, right, stands with Roxanne Garcia-Bates, who lost her brother Randy Garcia, and other family members outside...   (Associated Press)
Family members of servicemen killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, from left, Anne Deal, Valerie Giblin, Tiffany Giblin, and Darlene Hairston, stand outside  the U.S. District Court House in Washington, Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judge ruled Iran must pay...
Family members of servicemen killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, from left, Anne Deal, Valerie Giblin, Tiffany Giblin, and Darlene Hairston, stand outside the U.S. District...   (Associated Press)
Family members of servicemen killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, from left, Valerie Giblin, Tiffany Giblin, Darlene Hairston, and her daughter Sherry Johnson, stand outside  the U.S. District Court House in Washington, Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judge ruled Iran...
Family members of servicemen killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, from left, Valerie Giblin, Tiffany Giblin, Darlene Hairston, and her daughter Sherry Johnson, stand outside...   (Associated Press)
Family members of those killed in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, stand outside U.S. District Court House in Washington, Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judge ruled that Iran must pay $2.65 billion to family members.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Family members of those killed in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, stand outside U.S. District Court House in Washington, Friday, September 7, 2007, after a federal judge ruled that Iran must...   (Associated Press)
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