ICC orders US to lift sanctions on Iran

The United Nations' highest court ordered the United States on Wednesday to lift sanctions on Iran that affect imports of humanitarian goods and products and services linked to the safety of civil aviation, reports AP.

The ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is legally binding, but it is unclear whether the administration of President Donald Trump will comply.

Iran's foreign ministry welcomed the ruling as a "clear sign" that "Iran is in the right" and it "once again shows that the US government … is day by day becoming more isolated," it said in a statement.

Washington, however, said the case is outside the court's purview as it concerns a matter of national security.

"This is a meritless case over which the court has no jurisdiction," US ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra tweeted.

He pointed out that the tribunal "declined to grant the sweeping measures requested by Iran" and it was "a narrow decision on a very limited range of sectors".

Trump restored tough US sanctions in May after withdrawing from Tehran's nuclear accord with world powers. Iran challenged the sanctions in a case filed in July at the ICJ.