The United States is considering imposing sanctions against the entire International Criminal Court (ICC), a major escalation in response to the court's investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes . This move, which could be decided as early as this week, would mark a significant expansion of existing US policy, which has so far targeted specific ICC prosecutors and judges with asset freezes and travel bans . According to sources familiar with the matter, the potential "entity sanctions" have prompted emergency meetings within the court and with diplomats from ICC member states to assess the severe operational jeopardy such a step could cause .
The current crisis stems from the ICC's pursuit of justice in situations involving the United States and its allies, particularly Israel. In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict . The court has also investigated alleged crimes by US personnel in Afghanistan .
The US has long opposed the ICC's jurisdiction, arguing it infringes on national sovereignty. This opposition crystallized on February 6, 2025, when President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14203, declaring the ICC's actions an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security and authorizing sanctions against court personnel . The administration's stance is that the ICC is engaged in "illegitimate and baseless actions" by targeting American citizens and those of its allies .
The US has already taken significant steps against individuals at the ICC. In August 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against two ICC judges and two prosecutors, freezing any US assets they might have and cutting them off from the US financial system . This followed a similar move earlier in the year against ICC prosecutor Karim Khan .
Sanctioning the court as a whole would represent a dramatic intensification. Such "entity sanctions" could severely impede the ICC's day-to-day functions by restricting its access to the global financial system and creating legal complications for any US persons or entities that interact with it . The court, which relies on international cooperation, has already taken defensive measures, such as paying staff three months' salary in advance in anticipation of financial restrictions .
The US actions have been met with widespread international criticism. A group of 79 countries, including key US allies like France, Germany, and Britain, issued a joint statement expressing "unwavering support" for the ICC, calling it a "vital pillar of the international justice system" . European leaders have argued that sanctions "undermine the entire international legal system" and are the "wrong tool" to address disputes with the court .
The ICC itself has condemned the sanctions as a "flagrant attack" on its independence and has called on member states to stand in solidarity . Despite the pressure, the court has pledged to continue its work in providing "justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world".