Victims of Iranian-Sponsored Terrorism Demand Restitution in Washington

Victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism, along with their families, gathered in Washington this week. They urged President Trump to ensure Iran pays restitution as part of any potential peace deal. This delegation included over 100 individuals who have successfully sued the Islamic Republic in U.S. federal court. They seek billions of dollars in damages for Iran’s involvement in significant terror attacks, such as the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing that killed 241 U.S. service members, and various suicide bombings affecting American citizens worldwide.

The group, known as American Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism United, expressed their demands in a letter to President Trump. The letter asserted that no agreement should return Iranian assets or mitigate sanctions until the outstanding terrorism judgments owed to American victims are addressed.

Angela Mistrulli organized the two-day event in Washington and represented over 20,000 American victims of Iran-backed terrorism. Her father, Joseph, was killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks at the World Trade Center. Mistrulli argues that bankrupting terrorists would save American lives, insisting that no funds should be returned to Iran.

Recently, the conflict with Iran has resumed, causing uncertainty in progressing toward a peace agreement. The group’s initiative coincided with the halfway point of a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran, which began on June 17. This MOU offered Iran the chance to access frozen assets and receive sanctions relief if it adhered to specific terms, such as allowing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and eliminating its nuclear threat.

Although Vice President JD Vance described the MOU as beneficial for Americans, progress toward a long-term agreement remains limited. Military strikes on Iran resumed more than a week ago. According to Mistrulli, Iran and similar regimes have been ordered to pay up to $156 billion in judgments due to a law passed in the 1990s. This law allows victims to sue state sponsors of terrorism.

Iran has faced the most significant financial penalties. Plaintiffs have included victims from various attacks, including 9/11, for which Iran was found liable. A recent ruling awarded $573 million to plaintiffs representing American service members affected by Iranian-supported insurgencies in Iraq.

Despite winning judgments, collecting these awards remains challenging. Congress established the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund to provide partial compensation. However, since 2015, the fund has distributed only a fraction of what’s been awarded.

Aryeh Portnoy, an attorney for many victims, said collecting the judgments is difficult due to limited enforcement and funding. Portnoy emphasized the need for government action to fulfill the promise made to victims. He noted that Iran often supports the groups responsible for the attacks. Portnoy described Iran as a significant state sponsor of terrorism for the past four decades.

Iran’s embassy in Washington has not commented on these developments.