US sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) follow hours after South African judge Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize, escalating diplomatic tensions with European allies. The Trump administration's move targets the ICC, which has faced criticism for its investigations into Israeli officials and US military actions in Afghanistan.
The sanctions, announced on October 9, 2026, aim to cut off financial resources and hinder the ICC's operations. US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, condemned the court, stating the sanctions would 'ban transactions with this rogue court.' The ICC's deputy prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan, called the sanctions 'must be condemned' and emphasized the court's commitment to international law.
The ICC, which has 125 member states including all EU countries, faces potential repercussions from the US. The sanctions could impact the court's ability to function, with some exemptions allowed for critical services like telecommunications and pension payments. The court has been preparing for such measures, shifting to open-source software and adjusting banking arrangements to mitigate the sanctions' effects.