Iranian response to court judgement

Iran rejects NY judge's ruling on Sept. 11 attacks

Stars and Stripes,

25 December, 2011

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -

Iran has rejected a New York judge's finding that Tehran is liable in the Sept. 11 attacks along with the Taliban and al-Qaida.

According to state TV, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman referred to last week's judgment as "clumsy scenario-making" by the U.S.

The spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, repeated Iran's insistence that al-Qaida has no presence in the country.

On Thursday, Judge George Daniels in Manhattan signed a default judgment finding Iran, the Taliban and al-Qaida liable in the 2001 attacks. The ruling came in a $100 billion lawsuit brought by family members of victims.

The findings also said Iran provides al-Qaida members a safe haven.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly denied any Iranian connection to the Sept. 11 attacks or to al-Qaida.