US Prepares New Sanctions Against ICC Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant

The United States is preparing to impose sweeping new sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing U.S. officials and documents.

The reported move would significantly expand Washington’s existing measures against the Hague-based court and comes after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Reuters, which reviewed the report, said the United States had not yet formally announced the new sanctions and could not independently verify the details.

Under the reported plan, most transactions involving the ICC would eventually be prohibited following a grace period of approximately six to seven months. The measures could have a significant financial impact on the court because restrictions on transactions in U.S. dollars could make it more difficult for the ICC to access the international financial system.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration could finalize the measures as early as this week, during the United Nations General Assembly, although the timing had not been confirmed.

A State Department spokesperson declined to preview possible sanctions but pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s previously stated position that the ICC poses a threat to U.S. sovereignty.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, along with a warrant for then-Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, over allegations including war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel rejects the allegations and has opposed the ICC’s jurisdiction in the matter. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, while Israel is also not a member of the court.

Washington has already imposed sanctions on several ICC officials during the Trump administration. In August 2026, the United States sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.

The latest reported measures would represent a further escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign against the ICC.

U.S. officials have argued that the court should not exercise jurisdiction over American citizens or officials from countries that are not parties to the Rome Statute. The administration has also explored measures aimed at encouraging countries to distance themselves from the court.

The reported sanctions have yet to be formally announced, meaning the final scope and implementation timeline could still change. For now, the development reflects the continuing dispute between Washington and the ICC over the court’s authority and its cases involving Israeli officials.