Trump Administration Reportedly Weighs ‘Prize Law’ to Seize Iranian Oil Cargoes
The Trump administration is reportedly considering the use of an old maritime doctrine known as prize law to board vessels carrying Iranian oil and confiscate their cargoes. In my view, using this doctrine without a formal war declaration would amount to state-backed piracy on the high seas. The move appears driven by Washington’s frustration that sanctions on Iranian oil exports are being bypassed, including by some allied countries. Existing procedures generally require the US government to obtain a federal court order before permanently forfeiting seized Iranian oil. I believe Trump may be seeking to bypass such legal limits by directing the Navy, Coast Guard and other military branches to treat vessels linked to Iranian oil exports as enemy targets. However, I question whether prize law can be activated without Congress first authorising war against Iran. Trump has not secured such approval, and it is unclear how any maritime seizure order would withstand legal and international scrutiny.
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