US Revives Ancient Maritime Prize Courts to Seize Iranian Oil Tankers

The US Justice Department is reviving long-dormant maritime prize courts to seize Iranian oil tankers and cargo, according to three people familiar with the plans. This move is intended to strengthen the US blockade of Iran and help offset the cost of the conflict.

Prize courts were common during 18th- and 19th-century naval warfare but have largely disappeared since the Spanish-American War of 1898 and have been entirely dormant since World War II. The United States has instead relied in recent decades on civil forfeiture proceedings to seize ships and assets linked to sanctions violations.

The Southern District of Texas is being considered as the venue for these proceedings, which can be brought in any district with jurisdiction over the port where a captured vessel is taken. Aaron Reitz, the US attorney in Houston, confirmed that the department is 'now reviving' prize courts, describing them as an 'ancient body of maritime law.'

Eugene Kontorovich, a George Mason University law professor, said: 'It helps offset the price of the war. It also shows Iran that America is really treating this as a serious international blockade and is willing to use all the tools at its disposal.'