The United States is preparing to impose unprecedented sanctions on the International Criminal Court, potentially cutting the institution off from the global financial system. According to documents reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, most transactions involving the ICC would be prohibited after a six- to seven-month transition period. This move could block the court's access to the US dollar, severely impacting its operations.
The proposed sanctions mark a significant escalation in the US-ICC confrontation. Previously, US sanctions targeted individual ICC officials, including President Tomoko Akane, who faced asset freezes and visa bans. French judge Nicolas Guillou was also sanctioned in August 2025 for validating arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The new sanctions would target the ICC as an institution, potentially blocking essential services such as salary payments, IT purchases, and insurance subscriptions. The court has already anticipated difficulties due to the proposed measures. Reuters confirms that a text targeting the entire institution has been prepared, with an announcement possible during the UN General Assembly in New York.
The US-ICC confrontation has been ongoing for six years, starting with sanctions against ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in 2020. Those sanctions were lifted by the Biden administration but reinstated and strengthened in 2025 following the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes by Israeli officials. The escalating tensions have led to concerns about the court's future.
The ICC is facing challenges beyond US pressure, including withdrawals by several member states. Hungary formalized its withdrawal from the Rome Statute in November 2025, citing concerns about the court's politicization. The Burundi and the Philippines are the only other countries to have withdrawn from the ICC. Three Sahel countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – have also initiated withdrawal procedures.
The potential sanctions have raised concerns about the ICC's ability to function effectively. The US State Department has declined to comment on the matter, and no official list of targeted entities or individuals has been released. The final text of the decree has also not been made public, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
The ICC's future operations may be severely impacted if the US sanctions are implemented. The court's ability to investigate and prosecute international crimes could be compromised, leading to concerns about accountability and justice for victims of atrocities. The international community is watching the developments closely, as the ICC's credibility and effectiveness hang in the balance.
Key points
- US plans to impose unprecedented sanctions on International Criminal Court
- Sanctions could restrict ICC's access to global financial system
- ICC faces challenges beyond US pressure, including withdrawals by member states
