DOJ is turning to an ancient body of law to capture Iranian oil tankers. It’s been so long since the U.S. used it, ‘we’d have to conduct a séance’

The U.S. government is revisiting an antiquated legal principle to potentially seize Iranian oil tankers and reap the financial benefits. Aaron Reitz, the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Texas, revealed to Fortune that prize law, a centuries-old maritime regulation, may be employed to bolster the naval blockade of Iran and recoup expenses from the conflict.

This ancient legal code, codified in statute, outlines the rules for seizing, returning, or disposing of maritime property taken from enemy vessels during wartime. Unlike civil seizure laws, prize law does not necessitate a warrant or prove a statutory violation, and it allows military forces to seize enemy vessels without such procedural hurdles.

While not used since the Spanish-American War in 1898, some legal experts caution that invoking prize law could introduce significant legal complications, especially given the lack of an official war declaration against Iran. Legal challenges may arise concerning the legality of the blockade and the notification of neutral vessels.