{"argument_date":"2017-12-04T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-12-04T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Perlin argued Congress overhauled the terrorism exception in 2008.","Mr. Tripp argued Persian artifacts remain immune under section 1609.","Mr. Strauss cited legislative history regarding the precursor statute."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 31-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 31-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 13-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 53-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-11"}]}],"caption":"Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.277755Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Victims seek to seize Iranian embassy assets. Iran claims those assets remain immune from seizure.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 31-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 31-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 13-37"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-12-04T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-534.html","primary_docket":"16-534","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:27:08.746945Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of a 2008 law. The law lets victims sue foreign states for terrorism. It also allows seizing certain property to pay judgments. The dispute centers on whether embassy assets count as seizable property."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 31-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 31-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 13-37"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 4, 2017."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Victims want to seize Iranian embassy assets to satisfy their judgments.","Iran wants to keep its embassy assets immune from seizure."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 31-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 31-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 13-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Victims argue the 2008 law comprehensively overhauled immunity rules to close gaps.","Iran argues ancient Persian artifacts remain immune under existing sovereign immunity laws."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 31-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 31-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 13-37"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked if clients could execute on the embassy.","Justice Ginsburg noted Congress intended to remove specific immunity factors here."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 53-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the limits of sovereign immunity for foreign states. It determines which assets victims can seize to recover damages. The outcome shapes future enforcement of terrorism judgments against foreign governments."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 31-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 31-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 13-37"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 55-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 53-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-11"}]}],"slug":"2017-16-534-rubin-v-islamic-republic-of-iran","term":"2017","title":"Does the terrorism exception allow seizing Iranian embassy property?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 31-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 31-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-534_if5n.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 13-37"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}