Four Countries Turn to International Court to Hold Iran Accountable for Plane Crash

Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Ukraine indicated today, Thursday, that they will approach the International Court of Justice in their efforts to hold Iran accountable for the shooting down of a plane by its forces in 2020, which resulted in a significant loss of life. These four countries formed a coordinating group seeking to hold Iran responsible, as most of the 176 victims were their citizens. The countries had previously sought to have Iran subjected to arbitration under the Montreal Convention of 1971, which requires states to prevent and penalize crimes against civil aviation. The deadline for settlement expires today, Thursday. For its part, Iran confirmed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps mistakenly shot down the plane, a Boeing 737, blaming a faulty radar and an air defense error during a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. Iran has also filed a lawsuit against Canada in the United Nations' international court, accusing it of violating international obligations by allowing individuals to seek compensation from Tehran. Ottawa stated that it is reviewing Iran's request and "will take appropriate next steps according to the procedures of the International Court of Justice."