The US Department of Justice is preparing to revive so-called “prize courts” as part of efforts to streamline the seizure of Iranian oil tankers.

The initiative is intended to tighten the blockade of Iran and help offset costs associated with the conflict, Interfax reports.

If approved, the plans could allow federal prosecutors to move more quickly to claim oil and other cargo seized from enemy or neutral vessels as US property.

However, sources cautioned that bringing back the system of prize courts would face significant legal challenges.

The Justice Department is reportedly considering the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas as the main venue. Houston is home to the country’s largest petrochemical complex, which has the capacity to handle large volumes of crude oil.