Iran’s Plan to Sell Seized Ships: What’s Known About the Vessels and Compensation

Iran’s judiciary says it intends to sell commercial vessels linked to the United States and Israel that were seized during the war in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf. It says the proceeds would compensate affected individuals and families. For now, this is an announced plan—not a documented sale or a published schedule of payments.914

Which ships could be sold?

Judiciary official Hassan Abdollianpour said several vessels had been seized under judicial rulings, but did not provide a definitive list of ships to be sold or explain the circumstances of each seizure.914 Reporting identifies two ships seized during the war—the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and Liberia-flagged Epaminondas, taken by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in April. Their seizure does not establish that either is included in the proposed sales.11

A separate, older case also bears watching. Iran’s judiciary has pointed to a vessel linked to Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, seized more than two years ago, as an asset that could potentially be used to compensate people for losses. Its case was reportedly before Iran’s Supreme Court. It should not be counted as a confirmed wartime seizure or a confirmed sale candidate.7

How would the money reach affected families?

Abdollianpour says sale proceeds would support individuals and families harmed by the recent conflict. Iranian officials have also described an ongoing effort to document losses: one judiciary report said damage to 537 vessels had been assessed in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Bandar Lengeh and Jask. Those 537 are vessels assessed for damage, not a count of ships seized for sale. The available reporting does not establish a final compensation total, eligibility rules, a sale timetable or amounts recipients would receive.129

Iran has previously converted seized cargo into money for a different claim. Crude taken from the U.S.-owned Advantage Sweet, seized in 2023, was reportedly sold for $36 million–$37 million toward a sanctions-related damages judgment. That predates the war that began in February 2026 and is distinct from the proposed sale of ships themselves.34

Why does this matter for shipping through Hormuz?

The proposed sales are one part of a wider dispute over traffic through the strait. Iran’s parliament has reviewed a plan to bar U.S.- and Israeli-linked vessels until Tehran receives compensation for war damage. Separately, an Iranian strait authority published a list of 77 vessels it said had violated passage protocols; that list is not a list of ships approved for sale.117 After an Iranian cargo vessel was struck near Qeshm Island in September, Tehran postponed a briefing for neighboring countries on its contested shipping arrangements.2

The central distinction remains between ships reported seized, assets discussed as possible compensation, and vessels actually designated or sold. The sources establish Iran’s stated intention, but not a definitive sale list or completed payments to families.91114