Iran demands 170 million fine for seized Israel-linked ship
Iran has announced that it is demanding a $170 million fine from the owner of a cargo ship it seized last year, citing alleged ties to Israel and accusations of terrorism financing.
The case centres on the vessel named MSC Aries, a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship which was intercepted in the Gulf by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in April 2024. At the time of seizure, 25 international crew members were aboard. Iranian state media and judicial officials state that the vessel is “linked to Israel” through its management by Zodiac Maritime, a company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.
According to Iranian judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir, the fine corresponds to the ship’s estimated value excluding its cargo. He asserted that formal charges of “financing terrorism” have been filed, and the case is now before Iran’s courts, although no trial date has yet been set.
The incident has already heightened geopolitical tensions in the region: the United States condemned the seizure as an act of “piracy”, and Israel’s foreign minister urged European Union action against the IRGC.
