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Justice Revives Prize Courts to Seize Iranian Oil Tankers

8/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Department of Justice is reviving historic prize courts to seize Iranian oil tankers.
Prize courts, unused since World War II, would allow prosecutors to claim captured vessels as U.S. property.
Seized cargo would be sold and proceeds transferred directly to the U.S. Treasury.
Legal experts warn the plan faces significant challenges under modern international and war law.

History

Historical Context

World War I saw the U.S. enact the Trading with the Enemy Act on October 6 1917, granting prize courts power to seize enemy vessels; 120 merchant ships were captured, generating about $2 billion for the Treasury. Roosevelt amended the act in 1933, and the 1977 IEEPA confined it to wartime. The DOJ now revives that WWI model to seize Iranian oil tankers.

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Story summary

The Department of Justice is reviving historic prize courts to seize Iranian oil tankers.
Prize courts, unused since World War II, would allow prosecutors to claim captured vessels as U.S. property.
Seized cargo would be sold and proceeds transferred directly to the U.S. Treasury.
Legal experts warn the plan faces significant challenges under modern international and war law.

1 / 2