U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) have introduced the Seized Iranian Arms Transfer Authorization (SEIZE) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at allowing the U.S. government to transfer confiscated Iranian weapons directly to American military partners. The legislation seeks to use Presidential Drawdown Authority to bypass lengthy legal procedures that currently delay the distribution of these seized arms.
According to Senator Budd, “When the United States confiscates Iranian weapons, they not only ensure that Iran’s terror proxies are denied equipment meant to harm American servicemembers and our partners, like Israel, but they also generate stockpiles that would be beneficial in the hands of U.S. allies. The SEIZE Act would make it easier to distribute confiscated weapons to partners actively engaged in conflict with America’s adversaries, without an arbitrary and complicated legal process that leaves Iranian contraband in legal limbo. I am grateful to partner with Sen. Mark Kelly on this legislation which will provide the Department of Defense flexibility to get these weapons in the hands of partners who need them the most.”
Senator Kelly added, “When the United States intercepts weapons heading from Iran to the Houthi militia, we shouldn’t let bureaucracy stop us from giving those weapons to our trusted allies. This bipartisan bill cuts red tape and makes it easier to turn Iran’s lawbreaking aggression into security for us and our allies.”
The bill addresses concerns about delays caused by existing legal requirements for distributing captured arms held by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). If passed, it would enable more timely support for U.S. allies involved in conflicts against adversaries.
Weapons seized en route from Iran have included large quantities of rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, anti-tank guided missiles, and ammunition. An investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations found that between May 2021 and January 2023, over 9,000 rifles and hundreds of other heavy arms were intercepted during maritime security operations in areas such as the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
In addition to its introduction as standalone legislation, Senators Budd and Kelly have proposed including the SEIZE Act as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
