US Sanctions ICC Itself, With Temporary Licences for Essential Operations
Washington has extended its sanctions campaign to the entire court, but Treasury licences allow specified services and transactions to continue.
The United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court itself on 9 October 2026, moving beyond measures against individual judges and prosecutors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would continue its campaign to dismantle the institution, which he accused of threatening American sovereignty.
The designation blocks property under US jurisdiction and generally prohibits covered dealings by US persons. It also comes with licences that preserve specified activities, so its immediate effect is more qualified than a blanket shutdown of every transaction with the court.
The legal basis and the exceptions
The State Department's fact sheet identifies section 1(a)(ii)(A) of Executive Order 14203 as the authority for designating the ICC. President Donald Trump issued that order on 6 February 2025. Treasury's sanctions programme also cites the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act.
Under the new action, blocked property must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The restrictions cover the provision and receipt of funds, goods and services involving the designated institution, subject to applicable exemptions and licences.
General License 13 permits covered maintenance and wind down transactions until 12:01 on the morning of 7 April 2027, eastern daylight time. Its examples include member states' payments, salaries, health insurance, rent, utilities and routine commercial services. Separate licences address certain telecommunications and software activity, pensions and detainees.
Rubio threatens further action
Rubio warned that the United States would pursue the ICC “brick by brick” unless its concerns were resolved. Washington rejects the court's claimed authority over Americans and other nationals of countries outside the Rome Statute, and has objected to its work involving US personnel and Israeli leaders.
The State Department said the temporary maintenance licence provides time for diplomatic and legal solutions, and could be adjusted depending on progress. For suppliers and banks, that makes the licence terms central to the practical effect of the announcement.
Court rejects sanctions, Israel welcomes them
The ICC condemned the measures and said it would continue independently on the basis of law and evidence. President Tomoko Akane called for support to preserve the court's work, while its statement urged member states to protect its ability to function.
Netanyahu welcomed Trump's and Rubio's decision and portrayed the ICC as a political body threatening national sovereignty. The court issued arrest warrants against him and former defence minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged crimes in Gaza, allegations Israel rejects.
Hamas separately condemned the sanctions and urged governments to protect the court's personnel and operations. Its intervention adds another political response to a dispute now centred on the survival and reach of the institution itself.
