U.S. sanctions ICC, vowing to dismantle it "brick by brick" without changes

The United States has levied direct sanctions against the International Criminal Court, broadening earlier penalties against individual judges and prosecutors to target the tribunal as a whole.

Announcing the sanctions on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Washington is prepared to take apart the tribunal "brick by brick" if it does not alter course. He stated that the institution must halt its actions or face complete opposition from the U.S. government, which has long challenged the body's jurisdiction.

The financial measures freeze the court's assets subject to U.S. control and broadly prohibit American citizens and entities from engaging in business with it. To permit ongoing discussions, the Treasury Department created a 180-day grace period, allowing temporary operations while member nations evaluate Washington's grievances. Rubio noted that the framework gives participating countries a window to propose compromises regarding American objections, cautioning that policy adjustments would follow if those talks fail.

In response, the tribunal denounced the measures as an attack on legal standards and an effort to obstruct its operations through intimidation. ICC President Tomoko Akane said the institution intends to carry out its responsibilities independently and impartially. The tribunal called upon its 125 member governments—a group that includes Australia, Canada, Japan, and nearly every European NATO ally—to provide sufficient financial backing to safeguard its ongoing mission.

Neither the United States nor Israel belongs to the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the court. Washington has consistently opposed the ICC's inquiries into the conduct of American troops in Afghanistan, as well as warrants issued for Israeli officials related to the conflict in Gaza. The ICC maintains it possesses authority over acts carried out within territory under its legal mandate, even if the individuals involved are from non-member nations.

The sanctions arrived shortly after the Norwegian Nobel Committee revealed that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, a former ICC judge from South Africa who now sits on the International Court of Justice. Pillay previously directed a United Nations inquiry that concluded in September 2025 that reasonable grounds existed to accuse Israeli forces of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel firmly rejected. Following her award, Pillay warned that international legal frameworks and human rights protections face mounting political hostility, particularly evident in the campaign against the ICC.

The award drew severe condemnation from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which accused the Nobel Committee of forfeiting its principles by recognizing a critic of Israel.

The measures also follow remarks delivered earlier in the week by Rubio in Athens, where he warned that Western countries have spent decades surrendering domestic authority to international institutions operating outside direct public oversight.