US considers reviving Civil War era "prize courts" to steal Iranian oil
The US Department of Justice is reportedly considering reviving the long dormant US Civil War era "Prize Courts" system to seize Iranian oil tankers and cargoes, according to three sources cited by Bloomberg.
The proposal would revive a maritime legal framework last used during World War II, allowing authorities to seize sanctioned Iranian vessels and cargoes more quickly than under existing civil forfeiture procedures.
Under the plan, proceeds from seized oil could be transferred to the US Treasury to help offset the costs of the war, while the legal mechanism could also strengthen Washington's blockade of Iran. The cases could reportedly be handled through the US Southern District Court of Texas in Houston, a major center for the country’s oil industry...
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1August 27, 2026 3.2K 2 22
