Pompeo: We will defend ourselves against Iran's claims

The United States will "vigorously defend" itself in the International Court of Justice against Iran's challenge to the re-imposition of sanctions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday, according to AFP.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague on Monday began hearing arguments on a petition filed by the Iranian government against the economic sanctions imposed by the United States.

The petition, filed last month, alleges that Washington’s decision in May to impose sanctions after pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal violates a 1955 treaty between the two countries.

"We will vigorously defend against Iran's meritless claims this week in The Hague," Pompeo said later on Monday.

He said Iran's filing with the International Court of Justice was "an attempt to interfere with the sovereign rights of the United States to take lawful actions, including re-imposition of sanctions, which are necessary to protect our national security.

"The proceedings instituted by Iran are a misuse of the court," he contended, according to AFP.