Iran Seeks $170 Million Fine from Seized Cargo Ship’s Owner Over Alleged Israeli Links

Iran has demanded a $170 million fine from the owner of a cargo ship it seized in Gulf waters last year, accusing the vessel of having ties to Israel, a judicial official said on Tuesday.

The Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military, intercepted the MSC Aries in April of 2024 and detained its 25 international crew members, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Gulf Times.

At the time, the official IRNA news agency said the Portuguese-flagged vessel was "managed by Zodiac, which belongs to the Zionist capitalist Eyal Ofer".

On Tuesday, Iranian judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said charges had been filed and the case was before the courts, though no date had been set for a trial.

"A fine of $170 million has been demanded against its owner, of Israeli origin, accused of financing terrorism," Jahangir said.

At the time, the United States denounced the seizure of the ship as an act of piracy and called for its crew to be released.

At least some of the crew were later freed.

Jahangir said the ship, excluding its cargo, was valued at $170 million and claimed that Ofer -- an Israeli billionaire and shipping magnate -- was an "influential figure" within the Israeli government.