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

Updated on: September 3, 2026 / 2:49 PM EDT / CBS News

The Justice Department is attempting to revive a centuries-old law to speed up efforts to claim Iranian oil tankers seized during the war with Iran, but maritime law experts say the plan could face hurdles.

The top federal prosecutor in southern Texas confirmed last month that his office is involved in the effort to revive the use of prize law, a specialized legal regime that has not been used regularly since the Spanish-American War. Now, the department plans to utilize the laws in arguments about whether ships and tankers captured at sea since the start of the Trump administration were taken legally.

"Our national security interests may require the United States military to seize vessels or cargo supporting the enemy during military conflict," Aaron Reitz, the U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Texas, said in a statement. "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 — already codified in statute but which we are now reviving — that sets the rules for how seized maritime property is…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/healthwatch/