US sanctions against the International Criminal Court may target the Hague court and companies cooperating with it, according to The Times.
© AP Photo/ Omar Havana
The United States is preparing US sanctions against the International Criminal Court, with proposed measures expected to target the Hague-based court as well as entities that cooperate with it, according to a report by The Times. The potential restrictions could affect companies and suppliers doing business with the ICC.
US Sanctions Against the International Criminal Court Could Expand
According to the report, the proposed US sanctions against the International Criminal Court would go beyond individual officials and could also affect organizations and commercial entities working with the court.
Under the measures being considered, companies and suppliers providing goods or services to the ICC could face the risk of sanctions themselves if they continue working with the institution.
The Times reports that the possible restrictions have raised concerns among supporters of the court, who fear that such measures could seriously disrupt its ability to operate.
A European diplomat quoted by the newspaper described the planned action as “bad news for anyone who supports prosecuting war criminals.”
The potential measures would therefore create wider implications for organizations that have business or operational relationships with the International Criminal Court.
Background to US ICC Sanctions
The United States has already taken several actions against the ICC. On February 6, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against people connected with certain ICC activities. The order allows property and financial interests of designated individuals to be blocked and also provides for restrictions on entry into the United States.
The 2025 executive order stated that the US government considered certain ICC actions against the United States and its allies, including Israel, to be illegitimate and baseless. It specifically referenced ICC investigations involving US personnel and actions concerning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Since then, the United States has continued to impose measures connected to the ICC. In August 2026, the ICC said the US administration had announced new sanctions designations against ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. The court said that, following those designations, nine of its 18 judges, both deputy prosecutors, its former prosecutor and one staff member had been sanctioned by the United States.
International Criminal Court Faces Further Pressure
The latest report comes as the International Criminal Court continues to face pressure related to the growing scope of US measures.
The ICC has rejected the US sanctions and said it remains committed to carrying out its mandate under the Rome Statute. The court has described the sanctions targeting its judges, prosecutors and staff as measures affecting its independence and ability to perform its judicial functions.
The Assembly of States Parties has also expressed concern over the impact of the US measures. In September 2026, the Assembly decided to move its upcoming session from United Nations Headquarters in New York to The Hague, citing concerns including sanctions against ICC officials and visa restrictions affecting some participants.
What the Proposed US Sanctions Could Mean
If the reported restrictions are introduced in their proposed form, US sanctions against the International Criminal Court could extend the consequences beyond court personnel to companies and suppliers that maintain business relationships with the institution.
Supporters of the court cited by The Times fear that the wider restrictions could place significant pressure on the ICC and potentially threaten its continued operation.
For the United States, the measures would represent a further escalation of its approach toward the ICC, following the sanctions and restrictions introduced since 2025.
The latest developments underline the continuing dispute between Washington and the International Criminal Court over the court’s jurisdiction and activities involving the United States and its allies, including Israel.
The Times of Russia will continue to report developments surrounding the proposed US sanctions against the International Criminal Court as further details become available.
