Washington, Sep 21 (V7N)- The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to impose sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating Washington's long-running dispute with the tribunal.
Two US officials familiar with the matter told Reuters that preparations for sanctions targeting the ICC as an institution have been completed and an announcement could come soon. The exact timing, however, has not been finalized.
If implemented, the measures would mark a significant expansion of US pressure on the court. Washington has already sanctioned individual ICC judges and prosecutors but has not previously imposed institution-wide sanctions on the tribunal.
The proposed measures would generally prevent US citizens and companies from providing funds, goods or services to the ICC without special authorization from the US Treasury Department. Such restrictions could affect the court's banking transactions, IT services, insurance arrangements and investigative activities.
According to Reuters, the Trump administration wants the ICC to abandon arrest warrants against Israeli leaders and end its investigation into alleged crimes involving US military personnel in Afghanistan. In July, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also launched a diplomatic campaign urging other countries to isolate the court.
Possible announcement during UN General Assembly
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that a decision could be finalized during the UN General Assembly week in New York or shortly afterward. Reuters said the timing of any announcement remains uncertain.
Experts and ICC officials have warned that broad institutional sanctions could interfere with routine operations, including payments, technology services, insurance and the recruitment of investigators. The effects could extend to organizations and companies that work with the court.
The ICC was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute to investigate and prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in situations where national authorities are unwilling or unable to carry out genuine proceedings.
The United States is not a member of the ICC and has long disputed the court's jurisdiction over US nationals. Washington's latest move would therefore take the dispute beyond sanctions against individual officials and directly target the institution itself.
The proposed sanctions come as the ICC faces broader pressure from the Trump administration. In August, the United Nations expressed concern over US sanctions against ICC officials, while Washington said the court had exceeded its authority over countries that are not parties to the Rome Statute.
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