US imposes new sanctions on the International Criminal Court
The US has announced financial sanctions against the International Criminal Court, accusing it of politicisation and unfairly targeting Americans. US companies and individuals will have six months to wind down business with the tribunal.
Image: theguardian.com · Author: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/ariana-baio · source articleEditorial excerpt for news reporting
The United States has imposed new sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures, saying Washington would stop transactions with the court and restrict its resources.
The sanctions block ICC assets held in US jurisdictions. US companies and individuals have six months to wind down business with the tribunal, while some transactions remain exempt.
US allegations against the court
The Trump administration accuses the ICC of politicisation and of unfairly targeting Americans. It has also condemned the court’s arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The court previously investigated the actions of US soldiers in Afghanistan, although that case has been closed. In 2025, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions over the ICC’s investigations into Israelis and Americans; the administration later sanctioned ICC judges and lawyers and, in August, its president, Tomoko Akane.
ICC response
The ICC said US officials were attempting to “obstruct the course of justice” and urged member states to help ensure that it could continue operating. The court described the sanctions as an assault on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal order.
Rubio said the US did not accept the ICC’s jurisdiction and threatened further escalation unless the court ended actions Washington considers threatening. The ICC was established in 2002 to hold countries accountable for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.
What we know
- The US has imposed new financial sanctions on the International Criminal Court.
- US companies and individuals have six months to wind down dealings with the tribunal.
- The measures block ICC assets in US jurisdictions but exempt some transactions.
- The ICC accused US officials of attempting to obstruct the course of justice.
Trust: Multiple publishers
- Several publishers are cited. They may share the same underlying source; independent reporting is not automatically established.
- Sources: BBC World, The Guardian World.
COMMUNITY
Discussion
Sign in to join the discussion.
Loading comments…