Archive · 10 Oct 2026
US Sanctions ICC as Former Judge Wins Nobel Peace Prize
The United States has placed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, or ICC.
The announcement came on the same day that former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
US officials say they want to stop the court from prosecuting Americans and object to its actions involving the United States and Israel.
The measures block some ICC property and transactions connected to the United States.
Licences allow certain activities to continue, and some businesses have time to wind down their dealings with the court.
The ICC says the sanctions attack international law and says it will keep doing its work.
The European Union and several allied countries criticised the decision or backed the court.
Israel's prime minister welcomed the US action.
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court on Friday, October 9, 2026, hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures aim to prevent the ICC from prosecuting Americans and address US concerns about its investigations involving the United States and Israel.
The sanctions block covered ICC property in the United States and prohibit certain transactions, subject to licences and exceptions; reports describe a 180-day period for winding down some business.
US Treasury licences authorise specified activities, including certain operational, information technology, pension-plan and detainee-related activities.
The ICC condemned the sanctions and said it would continue its work; the European Union and several allied countries criticised the move or pledged support for the court, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed it.
- Who
- The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court; Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the US position. Navi Pillay was the Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
- What
- The United States imposed sanctions blocking covered ICC property and restricting certain transactions, with licences and exceptions.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026, hours after Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Where
- The measures apply to covered property and transactions in the United States; the ICC is based in the Netherlands.
- Why
- The US said it sought to protect its sovereignty and prevent the ICC from prosecuting Americans, citing concerns about the court's actions involving the United States and Israel.
United States and supporters
ICC and supporters
ICC authority and US sovereignty
United States and supporters
Rubio said the United States would not allow the ICC to prosecute Americans and described the measures as necessary to defend US sovereignty and security.
ICC and supporters
The ICC said the sanctions attack international law and the principle that no one stands above the law; Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said the court's work would continue.
The court's role and the sanctions
United States and supporters
The US accused the ICC of unfairly targeting Americans and Israelis and urged allies to rein in the court.
ICC and supporters
The ICC said it acts independently under law and evidence. The European Union and several allied countries criticised the US move or pledged support for the court.
- Target
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- US announcing official
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Sanctions
- Covered ICC property in the United States or held by US persons is blocked and reportable; certain transactions are prohibited unless exempted or authorised.
- Wind-down period
- Reports describe a 180-day period for US companies and individuals to wind down certain business with the court.
- Licences
- US Treasury licences authorise specified activities, including certain operational, information technology, pension-plan and detainee-related activities.
- ICC membership
- The court has 125 member states; the United States is not a member.
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the 2026 prize for work in international justice.
- Responses
- The ICC condemned the sanctions; the European Union and several allied countries criticised or opposed them, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision.
Sources
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