Jeremy Paner Discusses Legality of US Seizing Oil Tanker Near Venezuela

Jan. 14, 2026 – Jeremy Paner discussed the legal theory used by the U.S. government in its seizure of the M/T Skipper oil tanker on Dec. 10, 2025, with WorldECR, a journal on export controls and sanctions from Dow Jones.

The seizure of the oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela was one of the Trump administration’s initial moves against Venezuela, which ultimately led to an operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3.

In the article, Paner discussed how the U.S. based its authority to seize the vessel on its links to the Iranian Republic Guard Corp. (IRGC), not from the fact it was a blocked vessel.

“Based on the unsealed application for a warrant to seize the Skipper, it appears that the action is not based on the vessel being identified as blocked property on the SDN List,” Paner said. “The seizure and likely coming forfeiture seem to be based on its connections to the IRGC and potentially the Cartel de los Soles.

“The DOJ could be claiming here that the vessel is an asset of the IRGC and the proceeds of the sales of the oil cargo would benefit the Cartel de los Soles,” Paner continued. “As a matter of law, the sanctions on those FTOs certainly justify the seizure and probable coming forfeiture.”