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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 11 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced on October 3, 2018, that the United States would terminate the 1955 &ldquo;Treaty of Amity&rdquo; with Iran. The decision was triggered by a <a href="https://filehost.thompsonhine.com/uploads/175-20181003-ORD-01-00-EN_3dc5.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ruling</a> issued earlier in the day by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered the United States to &ldquo;remove, by means of its choosing, any impediments arising from the measures announced on 8 May 2018 to the free exportation to the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran of (i) medicines and medical devices; (ii) foodstuffs and agricultural commodities; and (iii) spare parts, equipment and associated services (including warranty, maintenance, repair services and inspections) necessary for the safety of civil aviation&nbsp;...&nbsp;.&rdquo; (See also <a href="https://www.trumpandtrade.com/2018/05/president-trump-announces-u-s-withdrawal-iran-nuclear-deal/">Trump and Trade Update dated May 8, 2018</a>.)
During a <a href="https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/10/286417.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">press conference</a>, Pompeo said, &ldquo;In July, Iran brought a meritless case in the International Court of Justice alleging violations of the Treaty of Amity. ... In light of how Iran has hypocritically and groundlessly abused the ICJ as a forum for attacking the United States, I am therefore announcing today that the United States is terminating the Treaty of Amity with Iran. I hope that Iran&rsquo;s leaders will come to recognize that the only way to secure a bright future for its country is by ceasing their campaign of terror and destruction around the world.&rdquo; Despite the move to terminate the treaty, Pompeo acknowledged, &ldquo;Existing exceptions, authorizations, and licensing policies for humanitarian-related transactions and safety of flight will remain in effect.&rdquo; He concluded his remarks by answering a question from CBS News, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll see what the practical fallout is.&rdquo;
The &ldquo;<a href="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Treaty-of-Amity-Economic-Relations-and-Consular-Rights-between-the-United-States-of-America-and-Iran-Aug.-15-1955.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights Between the United States and Iran</a>&rdquo; was entered into force on June 16, 1957, when both nations ratified its terms after its original signing August 15, 1955. Specific treaty provisions included:
<ul>
<li>Favorable and fair judicial treatment of nationals while traveling or living within the territory of the other party (Art II, Sec 4).</li>
<li>Recognition of a corporation/business entity&rsquo;s juridical status within the territory of either party (Art III, Sec 1).</li>
<li>No restrictions or prohibitions on the importation or exportation of any product of the other party unless that product is restricted/prohibited in a similar manner from other nations (Art VIII, Sec 2).</li>
<li>Several provisions governing the treatment of consular staff and related diplomatic operations in each nation (Art XII &ndash; XIX). These clauses remained in effect despite the severance of U.S.-Iranian diplomatic relations on <a href="https://history.state.gov/countries/iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">April 7, 1980</a>.</li>
</ul>
Article XX of the treaty included specific carve outs for the importation/exportation of gold and silver, activities relating to fissionable materials, production or traffic of arms, and measures &ldquo;necessary to protect its essential security interests.&rdquo; The final article of the treaty stipulated that either party could terminate the treaty &ldquo;by giving one year&rsquo;s written notice&rdquo; to the other party. Because of the U.S. notification this week, the treaty as written will remain in effect until October 2019.

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United States to End Treaty with Iran After 61 Years