U.S. leaving optional protocol to Vienna Convention: Bolton

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said here on Wednesday that the United States is withdrawing from the Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on dispute resolution.

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Bolton said that "the president has decided that the United States will withdraw from the optional protocol on dispute resolution to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."

"This is in connection with a case brought by the so-called State of Palestine naming the United States as a defendant, challenging our move of our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," he said.

The protocol, with 29 signatories and 71 parties, entered into force in 1964. The United States was also a participant of it.

"I'd like to stress, the United States remains a party to the underlying Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and we expect all other parties to abide by their international obligations under the convention," he said.