Archive · 9 Oct 2026
ICC Condemns US Sanctions and Urges Members to Protect Operations
The International Criminal Court is a court that investigates people accused of very serious crimes.
The United States has imposed sanctions on the court.
The ICC says the sanctions could make it harder to do its work and could weaken the rule of law.
It asked its 125 member countries to help it keep operating.
The US says it acted because it opposes the court prosecuting Americans.
The sanctions may affect services such as banking, software and insurance, but some transactions are exempt for now.
The court had already made some changes to prepare for possible restrictions.
Several countries said they support the ICC, and its deputy prosecutor said its work would continue.
The International Criminal Court strongly rejected US sanctions and urged its 125 member states to help protect its operations.
The court said the measures could obstruct justice and undermine the rule of law and international legal order.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington acted because it opposed efforts to prosecute Americans; the United States is not an ICC member.
The sanctions could disrupt the court’s access to banking, software, insurance and other services, though some transactions have exemptions and a six-month grace period.
Several countries reaffirmed support for the ICC, while Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said its investigations and prosecutions would continue.
- Who
- The International Criminal Court, the US government, and the ICC’s 125 member states.
- What
- The United States imposed sanctions on the ICC; the court condemned them and called on member states to protect its operations.
- When
- Friday, October 9; the year is not specified in the Reuters report.
- Where
- The ICC issued its statement in The Hague.
- Why
- The US Secretary of State said Washington opposed the court’s efforts to prosecute Americans; the ICC said the sanctions could obstruct justice.
ICC and supporters
US administration
Purpose and legitimacy of the sanctions
ICC and supporters
The ICC called the measures an attempt to obstruct justice and an assault on the rule of law; Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said they were intended to weaken international law and an independent judicial institution.
US administration
Marco Rubio said the US acted because it opposed efforts to prosecute Americans, described the ICC as a rogue court, and said the sanctions were intended to restrict its resources and operations.
Likely effect on the court’s work
ICC and supporters
The ICC and supporting countries warned that the sanctions could significantly affect the court, its staff and its ability to operate.
US administration
The US Treasury provided a six-month grace period and exemptions for certain transactions; the ultimate impact depends on how restrictions and responses by businesses and governments unfold.
- Court
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Sanctions imposed by
- US government
- ICC membership
- 125 states; the United States is not a member
- ICC’s response
- Condemned the sanctions and urged member states to help preserve its operations
- US explanation
- Marco Rubio said the US opposed the ICC’s efforts to prosecute Americans
- Reported potential effects
- Reduced access to banking, software, insurance and other services from US-based providers
- Initial relief
- The US Treasury announced a six-month grace period and exemptions for certain transactions
- Support for the court
- Foreign ministers from Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Britain reaffirmed support
