THE HAGUE/WASHINGTON, Sept 22 – The United States is preparing to impose sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), in what could become one of the sharpest escalations yet in its standoff with the Hague-based tribunal. Sources familiar with the matter say a decision may be announced as soon as this week.
The move comes in retaliation for the ICC’s investigations into alleged war crimes by Israeli officials during the Gaza conflict, as well as earlier cases involving U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan. Washington has already sanctioned individual ICC judges and prosecutors, but adding the court itself to its sanctions list would mark a dramatic step that could cripple the institution’s daily operations.
Emergency Meetings at The Hague
Six sources with direct knowledge of the discussions, all speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, confirmed that “entity sanctions” are now under serious consideration. ICC officials have already convened internal emergency meetings to assess potential damage, while member-state diplomats have also held talks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
One U.S. official confirmed that the sanctions are being weighed, though no exact timeline was provided. A State Department spokesperson accused the court of asserting “purported jurisdiction” over U.S. and Israeli personnel and warned that Washington would take “additional steps to protect our brave service members and allies.”
Financial and Operational Fallout
If the sanctions go ahead, they could disrupt the ICC’s basic functions, from paying salaries to accessing bank services and using routine office software. To soften the impact, the court has already paid staff their wages for the remainder of 2025 in advance, sources revealed. This is not the first time the ICC has used such precautions in anticipation of U.S. measures.
The tribunal is also exploring alternative suppliers for financial services and software systems, signaling that it is preparing for a protracted standoff with Washington.
High-Profile Indictments at the Core
The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, has indicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over actions in Gaza. Leaders of Hamas have also been charged. The court recognizes Palestine as a member state, granting it jurisdiction over crimes committed on Palestinian territory, an interpretation firmly rejected by both Israel and the United States, neither of which are ICC members.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan after he sought arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. Khan is currently on leave amid a separate misconduct probe, which he denies.
Diplomatic Pushback
Several ICC member states, particularly in Europe, are expected to resist Washington’s escalation. Diplomats told Reuters that pushback efforts will intensify during U.N. discussions this week, though many acknowledged that U.S. pressure will likely continue to grow.
“The road of individual sanctions has been exhausted,” said one senior diplomat. “It is now a question of when, not if, the U.S. takes broader action.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has openly labeled the ICC a “national security threat” and accused it of serving as an instrument of “lawfare” against Washington and its allies.
Broader Implications
Analysts warn that sanctioning the ICC could deepen U.S. isolation on the global stage. While Washington argues the court overreaches its jurisdiction, many countries see it as a vital safeguard for accountability and international justice. A sweeping sanctions package could therefore strain U.S.-European ties at a time when global conflicts are already reshaping alliances.
For now, the world’s eyes remain on Washington as the Biden administration weighs whether to impose limited measures targeting individuals or to pursue a blanket package that could bring the ICC to a standstill. A formal announcement is expected in the coming days.
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