A Greek shipping executive who claims that he and his businesses were defamed by an anti-Iran advocacy group cannot sue because the materials in the lawsuit are shielded by the state secrets privilege, a federal judge has ruled.

Victor Restis and his company, Enterprises Shipping and Trading S.A., alleged they were victims of a “name and shame” campaign by United Against Nuclear Iran that sought to destroy the company’s reputation and keep it from accessing U.S. ports.