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ARTICLE · 07 JULY 2026

The Limits Of State Immunity: Ontario Court Grants Judgment Against Iran For Terrorism

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In a significant development for civil claims against foreign states, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Haftlang v. Iran has ordered $200 million in compensatory and punitive damages against Iran.

GlobalLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Chris Kinnear Hunter
Chris Kinnear Hunter
Emma Huang
Emma Huang
Sarah E. Whitmore
Sarah E. Whitmore
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In a significant development for civil claims against foreign states, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Haftlang v. Iran has ordered $200 million in compensatory and punitive damages against Iran1. The Court confirmed an exception to the general principle that states are immune from claims under Canadian law for terrorist activity, and clarified that such activity can include conduct by a state against its own nationals within its own territory.

What you need to know

  • State immunity lifted. The State Immunity Act (SIA) and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (JVTA) create exceptions to the immunity from claims that states typically enjoy under Canadian law for supporting terrorism.

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