The US Justice Department is preparing to restart prize-court operations to
simplify seizure of Iranian tankers and related cargo and bolster a maritime
blockade against Iran, three sources told US media on the 26th. DOJ is
coordinating with the Department of Defense on the plan. Under the proposal,
federal prosecutors could more rapidly declare oil and other goods on enemy or
neutral vessels to be US property, enabling sale of seized cargo with proceeds
remitted to the US Treasury. Supporters say the move would speed seizures and
sales; critics warn of legal and operational challenges. DOJ is focusing on
initiating proceedings in the US District Court for the Southern District of
Texas, two sources said.
