Senators Kelly, Budd Introduce SEIZE Act to Authorize Transfer of Confiscated Iranian Weapons to U.S. Partners

SEIZE Act also introduced as a floor amendment to FY 2026 NDAA

Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan Seized Iranian Arms Transfer Authorization (SEIZE) Act to authorize the use of Presidential Drawdown Authority to transfer confiscated Iranian weapons seized in transit to terror proxies like the Houthi’s in Yemen to U.S. partners for their use. The SEIZE Act would bypass a potentially year-long legal process for the distribution of captured Iranian weapons and equipment held by U.S. CENTCOM.

Right now, CENTCOM spends taxpayer money to store, safeguard, and transfer seized equipment. The SEIZE Act would allow those weapons to be sent quickly and directly to U.S. military partners around the globe.  

“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,” said Kelly. “This bipartisan bill cuts red tape and makes it easier to turn Iran’s lawbreaking aggression into security for us and our allies.” 

“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,” said Budd. “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.” 

The caches of Iranian weapons captured en route to Yemen can be substantial and would greatly benefit America’s partners engaged in conflicts if delivered in a timely manner. 

As an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations showed, “Between May 2021 and January 2023, the U.S. Navy seized the weapons, which included more than 9,000 rifles, 284 machine guns, approximately 194 rocket launchers, more than 70 anti-tank guided missiles, and more than 700,000 rounds of ammunition, during routine maritime security operations conducted in and around the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.” 

In addition to introducing the SEIZE Act as a stand-alone piece of legislation, Kelly and Budd have offered the legislation for consideration as an amendment to the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

Read the full text of the SEIZE Act here.