US revives prize law to seize Iranian oil tankers

August 29, 2026 at 02:10 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The Trump administration is reviving prize law, an ancient maritime legal doctrine, to seize Iranian oil tankers and sell their assets. U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz confirmed the move, stating that federal courts must be ready to adjudicate captured vessels. The revival would bolster the naval blockade of Iran and allow the U.S. to recoup war costs.

Key Facts

U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz confirmed the revival of prize law, stating that federal courts must be ready to adjudicate captured vessels and cargo.
Prize law allows the Department of Defense to seize enemy vessels through military force without a warrant or statutory violation.
The Prize Act of 1812 was last invoked during the Spanish-American War, and President Abraham Lincoln used it to blockade Confederate seaports.
Maritime lawyer Raymond Waid noted a financial interest in selling seized oil and vessels to fund the U.S. government.

Prize Law Revival

The Trump administration is bringing back prize law, a centuries-old legal tradition allowing military forces to seize enemy vessels. Aaron Reitz, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, confirmed the revival in a statement to Fortune. Reitz said prize law is 'an ancient body of maritime law—already codified in statute but which we are now reviving.' The news was first reported by Bloomberg Law.

Legal Distinctions

Prize law contrasts with civil seizure laws, which require identifying a statutory violation and establishing jurisdiction. Michael Frevola, a maritime litigation partner at Holland & Knight LLP, noted that civil seizures often entail extensive litigation. Under prize law, the Department of Defense can seize an enemy vessel through military force without a warrant or statutory violation. This streamlined process would bolster the naval blockade of Iran and allow the U.S. to recoup war costs.

Historical Precedents

Prize laws have existed since the Middle Ages and are embedded in the U.S. Constitution's Captures Clause. President Abraham Lincoln used the Prize Act of 1812 to blockade Confederate seaports, a move upheld by the Supreme Court. The law was most recently invoked during the Spanish-American War to legitimize the detention of Spanish vessels. Reitz did not specify whether the Justice Department will invoke the Prize Act of 1812, the Captures Clause, or another law.