National Petrochemical Co. of Iran v. M/T Stolt Sheaf
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
860 F.2d 551 (2d Cir. 1988)
Relevant factsFree
National Petrochemical Co. of Iran (plaintiff), wholly owned by the Iranian government, sued M/T Stolt Sheaf (defendant) in U.S. federal court, but the district court dismissed the case on the theory that an entity owned by a government the United States had never formally recognized could not sue in American courts; National appealed.
IssueFree
Whether formal recognition of a foreign government by the United States is required before an entity wholly owned by that government may access United States courts.