DOJ Revives Maritime Prize Courts to Seize Iranian Oil Tankers

The Department of Justice is reviving maritime prize courts to seize Iranian oil tankers as war prizes, according to a new report. This move would allow the government to claim ships seized by the U.S. Navy during its enforcement of a naval blockade of Iran and sell their cargo, with proceeds going to the Treasury Department.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Aaron Reitz stated that 'Our national security interests may require the United States military to seize vessels or cargo supporting the enemy during military conflict,' and that 'If that happens, our federal courts must be ready to adjudicate the disposition of these captured vessels and cargo.'

Prize law is an ancient body of maritime law that sets rules for seized maritime property, but it has not been actively used since the Spanish-American War in the late 1800s. The U.S. government has used prize courts since its founding, starting with the Revolutionary War.

The plan to revive prize courts would likely face legal challenges from shipping companies and victims of Iranian terrorism who may pursue claims against seized assets.