Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Israeli victims of Iranian-sponsored attacks could receive millions of dollars from Teheran’s assets in the United States.

A U.S. federal district court judge, culminating a decade-long battle, has granted $9.7 million to the families of five victims of an Iranian-assisted suicide bombing in 1997. But the judge delayed implementing the decision until an Iranian appeal, which could take years.

“This is a tremendous victory for the victims of Islamic terrorism,” said Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, director of the Israel Law Center, which helped bring the suit.

“While the United States and European Union are rushing out to economically bolster the outlaw regime in Teheran, we and the families we represent do not forgive nor forget the Iranian funded terror that devastated Israel,” Ms. Darshan-Leitner said on Dec. 4.

On Nov. 27, Judge Barry Moskowitz ruled that the five families could seize assets awarded to Iran in an arbitration with a U.S. defense company.

Moskowitz, a federal judge in San Diego, Calif., cited a judgement in which
Cubic Defense Systems was ordered to pay Teheran at least $2.8 million for
failing to deliver an air combat maneuvering range system. Teheran, however,
could not collect the payment because its assets were frozen.

The Israeli families also faced a rival lawsuit filed by the daughter
of former Iranian Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar. Earlier, the daughter
filed a lien on the Cubic settlement in wake of her successful suit against
Teheran.

In his ruling, Moskowitz also linked his decision to the U.S.
rapproachment with Iran. President Barack Obama has already agreed to
unfreeze up to $14 billion in Iranian assets.

  Israel Law Center, Israeli terror victims could seize unfrozen Iran assets in U.S., Judge Barry Moskowitz, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner