As of Memorial Day 2017, close to 7000 American soldiers had died in the Global War on Terrorism—both the military action in Afghanistan, as well as the second invasion of Iraq. Today, American troops continue to fight against extremist groups in Afghanistan and Iraq. This number does not include the civilian contractors who have died in these Global Wars on Terrorism from 2001 to the present. According to the U.S. State Department, Iran remains the foremost state sponsor of terrorism, and has held that spot for the past 10-15 years, because it has provided arms and cash to terrorist groups such as Kata’ib Hizballah, Iraqi Shi, and Hezbollah.

Iran is considered one of the top three state sponsors of terrorism, with Sudan and Syria being the other two. Despite the fact that the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Iran for their violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, certain globa banks processed large financial transactions for Iran in direct violation of U.S. Counter-Terrorism Sanctions. These financial transactions ultimately helped provide Iran with the necessary funds to sponsor terror that killed and injured thousands of U.S. soldiers and civilian contractors. Without funds, Iran would not have been able to train, fund and arm terrorist groups throughout Iraq, or to sponsor terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, whose purpose was to attack Americans. Iran was also the exclusive manufacturer of EFPs (explosively-formed penetrators), rockets and munitions—the leading causes of injuries and death to U.S. and Coalition Forces.

Certain Global Banks Processed Large Financial Transactions for Iran, a Known Sponsor of Terrorism

Global Banks such as Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC Holding Group PLC, Credit Suisse A.G., Credit Suisse Asset Managment Ltd, Commerzbank A.G., Barclays PLC and BNP Paribas entered into Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Consent Orders regarding their violation of U.S. Counter-Terrorism Sanctions against Sudan, Cuba and Iran. These global banks paid billions of dollars in fines, and the U.S. agreed to delay criminal prosecution against these banks—meaning it is unlikely there will ever be any type of prosecution. What is clear is that the financial transactions engaged in by these banks helped Iran support terrorism. As these global banks engaged in the “stripping” billions of United States dollars on behalf of Iran, despite the fact that Iran was and is a known state sponsor of terrorism.

Statute of Limitations on Anti-Terrorism Lawsuits

Those who make the decision to file an anti-terrorism lawsuit for injuries or death as a result of violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, should be aware of the statutes of limitations for anti-terrorism lawsuits. The United States Anti-Terrorism Act is complicated, proscribing different SOLs for many terrorism offenses. The Patriot Act also addresses SOLs related to terrorism offenses that result in, or create a foreseeable risk of death or serious bodily injury. To further complicate things, conspiracy crimes have very different statutes of limitations. The only way to truly know what your applicable statute of limitations might be is to speak with an experienced and well-qualified Anti-Terrorism Act Lawyer about your potential claim.

How an Anti-Terrorism Lawsuit Could Benefit You and/or Your Family Members

If you or a family were subjected to injuries or death as a result of state-sponsored terrorism from Iran you could benefit from filing an anti-terrorism lawsuit. According to Colin Powell, “Money is the oxygen of terrorism.” Without funds, Iran could not have sponsored terrorism, which, in turn, killed and maimed Americans. The anti-terrorism lawsuits already filed allege Iran provided funds, training, weapons, supplies and other material support to multiple terrorist organizations operating in Iraq after 2003. Iran provided support to Hezbollah and other Iraqi Shi militant groups who then targeted, injured and killed U.S. Service Members as well as U.S. citizen contractors through the use of EFPs, IRAMS, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and sniper fire. Current anti-terrorism lawsuits against certain global banks assert they can be held liable under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and claim these global banks conspired with Iran while knowing Iran would use the laundered funds to injure and kill Americans in Iraq. If you were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan you could potentially benefit from seeking compensatory damages against certain global banks that illegally assisted Iran with financial transactions. An experienced anti-terrorism attorney can help you determine whether you might benefit from filing an anti-terrorism lawsuit.