The Approach of the International Court of Justice in Cases of Dual Nationality: A Comparative Study of Iranian Judicial Practice
Keywords:
Dual Nationality, International Court of Justice, Effective Nationality, Iranian Jurisprudence, Diplomatic ProtectionAbstract
This study presents a comparative examination of the approach of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Iranian judicial practice in addressing the legal challenges associated with dual nationality. In the international sphere, the Court has moved beyond the classical rule of “non-responsibility toward one’s own nationals” and, relying on the landmark Nottebohm judgment, has adopted the criterion of “effective and genuine nationality” as the principal basis for determining jurisdiction and recognizing diplomatic protection. According to this approach, in cases of conflict between nationalities, an individual’s genuine connection, enduring interests, and habitual residence constitute the decisive factors in identifying the dominant nationality vis-à-vis states. In contrast, the Iranian legal system, based on Article 989 of the Civil Code, is founded upon the principle of “non-recognition of dual nationality” and continues to regard Iranian nationals who have acquired the nationality of another state exclusively as Iranian citizens. Nevertheless, an examination of judicial practice demonstrates that, within international quasi-judicial forums (such as the Iran–United States Claims Tribunal) and under certain modern legal interpretations, Iran has encountered challenges in reconciling its domestic laws with international requirements. The findings of this study indicate that, whereas the approach of the International Court of Justice is centered on the “tangible realities of an individual’s life,” Iranian judicial practice places greater emphasis on “sovereign interests and political-security considerations.” This divergence reflects a gap between the rigidity of domestic legal rules and the flexibility of international law, highlighting the necessity of revisiting traditional nationality regulations in Iran in order to prevent the infringement of citizens’ rights in international disputes.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Hossein Egdetari (Author); Maryam Moradi; Dariush Shahriari (Author)
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