Iran demands $170m fine from owner of seized Israel-linked ship

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

The Revolutionary Guard intercepted the MSC Aries in April 2024 and detained its 25 international crew members.

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