Investment disputes may be classified in 3 categories, each of which may be settled in a different manner:

· Disputes between local and foreign investors: This type of dispute may be settled, in the first place, through friendly negotiations. In the event a settlement is not reached, the dispute may be referred to domestic courts, foreign courts and/or international or ad hoc arbitral tribunals. There is no legal impediment for accepting any of the aforementioned methods as is mutually agreed between the parties to the disputes.

· Settlement of disputes between an investor and the host government: As contemplated in Article19 of FIPPA, in the event a dispute between an investor and the Iranian Government is not settled through negotiations, the investor may approach through either of the following options:

a) Referring to domestic courts;

b) Referring the dispute to the competent arbitration tribunal stipulated in the Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment with the investors` respective government (i.e. Bilateral Investment Treaties: BITs).

· Settlement of disputes between host and home governments: This type of disputes are not usually of the same nature as disputes raised between investors. Moreover, they are attributed to the commitments and obligations of the respective governments vis-à-vis in respect of the implementation and interpretation of the contracts. Settlement of such disputes is also included in the bilateral and multilateral investment agreements.