U.S. Prepares Sweeping Sanctions to Dismantle ICC, Report Says

By douglasharrington // 2026-09-23

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The U.S. is preparing sweeping sanctions aimed at dismantling the International Criminal Court, according to a report by Middle East Eye. The measures, expected as early as this week, could sever the court from much of the global financial system and disrupt war crimes investigations, the report stated. The move follows ICC arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over alleged war crimes in Gaza. U.S. officials said the measures target ICC prosecutors, judges and staff, with the goal of disabling the court's operations. Washington has not signed the Rome Statute, and U.S. officials have argued the ICC lacks jurisdiction over Israel, according to statements.

Sanctions Measures and Targets

Proposed sanctions include visa bans, asset freezes and financial restrictions on ICC personnel and their families, officials familiar with the plan said. U.S. legislation would penalize any foreign entity that assists ICC investigations of U.S. citizens or allies, according to the report. The sanctions would target the court's budget, travel and access to banking systems, the report stated. Supporters of the measures said they are necessary to protect U.S. sovereignty and allied personnel from what they call politically motivated prosecutions. Critics said the sanctions would undermine international justice and could deter future war crimes investigations. The Trump administration has already imposed sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, accusing the court of overstepping its authority. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the court as a "corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court that has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate" [1].

ICC and International Reaction

ICC officials condemned the planned sanctions, saying they threaten the court's independence and ability to deliver justice, according to statements. The court said the sanctions "undermine the rule of law" and that "when judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk" [2]. Human rights groups and some European governments expressed concern that the measures could weaken the international legal order, the report said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the European Commission to activate the EU Blocking Statute to shield the ICC and the United Nations from U.S. sanctions, stating that "Spain does not look the other way" and emphasizing that "the EU cannot stand idly by in the face of this persecution" [3]. The ICC has called on member states to oppose the sanctions and defend the Rome Statute system, according to a court statement. Israel and the U.S. have rejected ICC jurisdiction, saying the court has no authority over non-member states, officials said.

Legal and Political Context

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, the court said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official aircraft deviated from its usual flight path to the U.S., avoiding French airspace in what appears to be an effort to evade potential arrest over an outstanding ICC warrant [4]. Israel and the U.S. are not parties to the Rome Statute; Palestine became a member in 2015 and accepted ICC jurisdiction, according to court records. The U.S. has previously sanctioned ICC officials in 2020 over Afghanistan investigations, a precedent cited in the current plan, according to reports. The Biden administration opposed the ICC warrants but did not impose sanctions; the new plan is being advanced by Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration, officials said. U.S. Congress previously passed the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act in January 2025, a bill targeting the ICC for issuing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, with bipartisan support of 243 votes in favor [5].

Next Steps and Outlook

Congressional leaders said they expect a vote on the sanctions bill in the coming weeks, according to legislative schedules. ICC member states are scheduled to meet to discuss a response, the court said. The report stated that the sanctions could take effect through executive action or legislation, depending on final negotiations. Further developments will depend on U.S. congressional action and international diplomatic responses, officials said.

References

Belle Carter. "Netanyahu takes unusual flight path to avoid war crimes arrest". NaturalNews.com. September 26, 2025.
Laura Harris. "House passes bill targeting ICC over Netanyahu warrant". NaturalNews.com. January 12, 2025.
NaturalNews.com. "Spain's Sanchez Urges EU to Activate Blocking Statute Against US Sanctions on ICC". NaturalNews.com. May 8, 2026.
RT. "US targets ICC chief in push to 'dismantle' court". RT.com. August 19, 2026.
Middle East Eye. "ICC says US sanctions 'undermine the rule of law'". Middle East Eye. August 18, 2026.

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