US Justice Department seeks to revive historic prize law to seize Iranian tankers

The Justice Department, in coordination with the Pentagon, is attempting to resurrect a dormant prize-law framework to adjudicate the seizure of Iranian oil tankers captured during the Trump era. Aaron Reitz, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, explains that the law, originating in the early 1600s, would let courts swiftly decide if captured ships and cargo qualify as lawful prizes, avoiding protracted forfeiture cases.

Prosecutors must demonstrate that the vessels transported contraband, enemy personnel, or breached blockades, and the ships would likely need to be moved to a Texas port such as Houston. Maritime experts like Michael Sturley and Thomas Lee caution that the strategy may clash with constitutional limits, lack congressional war authorization, and provoke challenges from third-country flag states. Ian Ralby notes the legal revival but highlights diplomatic risks, especially after Iran labeled prior seizures as piracy. No U.S. court has applied prize law since the Spanish-American War, leaving the process uncertain.