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
Iran Scoffs at Paying $2.65B for Bombing
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)   (Associated Press)

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. (More Iran stories.)

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