National Iranian Oil Company v. Ashland Oil, Inc.

GOLDBERG, Circuit Judge:

There was an oil company from Iran whose lawyers devised a neat plan:

To arbitrate a dispute that Ashland’s contract might refute,

the Iranians to the land of cotton ran. But their clever arbitration plan was spoiled;

by an Act of Congress, the district court said, it was foiled.

So they take this appeal

to rewrite their first deal.

But their theories are only half-boiled.

To arbitrate in Ole Miss is their prayer.

Inconvenience or waiver makes it fair.

But the contract is clear;

we can’t order arbitration here.

Unless agreed, it’s Iran or nowhere.

I

According to the allegations…