Trump administration reviving centuries-old prize law to try to claim Iranian oil tankers

Key Points:

• The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to revive centuries-old prize law, unused since the Spanish-American War, to expedite claims on Iranian oil tankers seized during conflicts with Iran, aiming for a streamlined legal process over civil asset forfeiture.
• Prize law allows U.S. courts to adjudicate the seizure of vessels carrying contraband or supporting enemy forces during military conflict, potentially enabling the sale of captured cargo and transfer of funds to the Treasury.
• Legal experts warn of significant challenges, including the requirement to physically bring seized ships to U.S. ports for court jurisdiction and potential international disputes, especially involving vessels flagged by third countries.
• Critics highlight the risk of inconsistent U.S. policy application and long-term repercussions, such as foreign powers possibly seizing American-flagged ships in the future, complicating maritime and international law.
• The revival of prize law represents a broader trend under the Trump administration of using dormant legal mechanisms for national security aims, though the practical implementation and legal precedents remain uncertain.