A US judge has ordered Iran to pay damages of $1.46 billion to the family of a private investigator who became America’s longest-held civilian hostage before his death in custody.
Bob Levinson was snatched on Iran’s Kish Island in March 2007 during an investigation into the skimming of Iranian oil profits.
The former FBI agent was tortured at a secret location by his unknown kidnappers before his family learned this year that he had died.
The family said the ruling by a court in Washington DC was the “first step in the pursuit of justice” for Mr Levinson.
But the relatives of Mr Levinson, who was married with seven children and would have turned 72 this year, are likely to receive only a fraction of the $1.46bn US judge Timothy Kelly ordered.
Iran declined to take part in the civil action and the damages are set to come from a special fund established by the US government for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. The fund is financed by fines from companies who are penalised for breaking sanction rules.
The compensation ordered by US district judge Timothy Kelly amounts to more than the entire pot for nearly 8,000 successful claimants in the most recent round.
The US victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund has accepted more than 13,000 claims since 2017 and has paid out more than $3bn.
But individual claims are capped at $20 million and figures released for the most recent round suggest that victims receive less than six per cent of the amount claimed.
“We intend to find any and every avenue, and pursue all options, to seek justice for Robert Levinson," said the family in a statement.
Up until 2019, US courts have made awards of about $90bn for state-sponsored terrorism against countries including Iran, Sudan, North Korea and Syria, according to a congressional report. These include awards to the families of 241 US soldiers killed in the 1983 bombing of a military barracks in Beirut.
Judge Kelly said in his ruling that the $150m awarded each to Mr Levinson’s estate, his wife and children were not designed as compensation but “to award the victim an amount of money that will punish outrageous behaviour and deter such outrageous conduct in the future”.
He said that the kidnapping, torture and detention of Mr Levinson was “barbaric” and had caused the family immeasurable suffering. The judge added that the kidnap and torture of US citizens through the state or by paying militant groups was “part of a longstanding pattern and policy, making the need for deterrence clear”.
Mr Levinson’s family revealed in March that they had received information that made it clear he was dead. He was last known to be alive in 2011 because of photographs emailed by his captors showing him bound by chains and wearing an orange jumpsuit.
The photos and a video were accompanied by demands to the US suggesting Mr Levinson was being held by an unidentified terrorist group, but Judge Kelly ruled that Iran was responsible. The Iranians have refused to admit culpability for Mr Levinson’s captivity.
The court had heard in December that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was probably behind his imprisonment because of his investigation into state corruption.
He had travelled to Kish Island to question a contact over claims that Iranian officials were taking a cut from oil sales and hiding the money in overseas investment.
In a statement, Mr Levinson’s family said that he had been subjected to “unimaginable suffering” for more than 13 years.
“He was the greatest man we have ever known, and he should be alive today - home with his wife, children and grandchildren. Instead, he died in Iranian custody and our family will never be whole again.
“Until now, Iran has faced no consequences for its actions. Judge Kelly’s decision won’t bring Bob home, but we hope that it will serve as a warning against further hostage-taking by Iran.”
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
