WASHINGTON, United States: The Trump administration has prepared US ICC sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court.
Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the measures have not yet been formally announced. The US State Department did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
The Wall Street Journal separately reported that the administration is preparing broad financial restrictions. These restrictions could prohibit most transactions with the Hague-based court following a six- to seven-month grace period.
Under entity-wide sanctions administered by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), US citizens and companies could be barred from providing funds, goods or services to the ICC without a licence. In addition, court officials have warned that such restrictions could affect banking, IT services, insurance, investigators and payments to US employees.
Washington has already sanctioned several ICC judges and prosecutors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a broader campaign in July urging countries to withdraw from the court. Meanwhile, the administration has objected to ICC proceedings involving US and Israeli nationals.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the Gaza conflict. However, Israel disputes the court’s jurisdiction and rejects the allegations.
Read: Netanyahu Backs US Sanctions On ICC, Calls Court ‘Kangaroo’
The reported sanctions decision could come during the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level period in New York. The 81st session’s general debate is scheduled to begin on September 22 and run through September 28.
The ICC, established under the Rome Statute and based in The Hague, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute.
