International

US plans to impose sweeping sanctions on the ICC amid Israel-Gaza tensions

Friday, 26 September 2025 4:02AM UTC

The United States considers extending sanctions to the entire International Criminal Court, escalating tensions linked to Israel-Gaza conflicts and broader geopolitical disputes, sparking concern among the legal community and allies.

The United States is reportedly on the verge of imposing sweeping sanctions against the entire International Criminal Court (ICC), a move that could severely disrupt the court’s day-to-day functioning. Traditionally, Washington has targeted individual ICC officials with sanctions, but extending these measures to the entire institution would mark a significant escalation in tensions. According to sources close to the matter, emergency meetings have already taken place within the ICC to assess the potential impact, with some staff having their salaries paid in advance to safeguard against possible disruptions to banking and software systems. The court is also reportedly seeking alternative suppliers for essential financial and software services in anticipation of the sanctions.

The intensifying conflict between Israel and Gaza is at the heart of the controversy surrounding the ICC. The court has indicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. At the same time, leading Hamas figures, indicted for orchestrating the militant group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, have reportedly been killed by Israeli forces. The court’s investigations into these allegations have been a persistent irritant to Washington, which disputes the ICC’s jurisdiction over US and Israeli personnel.

A US State Department spokesperson reiterated this stance, accusing the ICC of asserting "purported jurisdiction" over its nationals and those of Israel, and suggested that Washington would continue to protect its service members "as long as the ICC continues to present a threat to our national interests." The Times of Israel quoted an unnamed diplomat as saying that the previous route of individual sanctions had been exhausted and that the move to sanction the entire ICC was imminent, signalling a deeper confrontation.

The reaction from the legal community has been swift. The International Bar Association (IBA) has condemned the proposed sanctions, emphasising the ICC’s crucial role as the cornerstone of international justice. Dr Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director, described the Court as vital to combating atrocities that shock the conscience of humanity. He warned that sanctions undermine progress made for victims and weaken the global rule of law, highlighting that ICC officials have long faced political threats and intimidation aimed at obstructing justice.

Beyond the ICC, the United States has been actively expanding the use of sanctions as a foreign policy tool. This includes measures against various international entities and officials, reflecting a broader strategy of unilateral enforcement. For instance, Washington has repeatedly targeted Brazilian officials connected to legal proceedings related to former President Jair Bolsonaro, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signalling readiness to impose further sanctions if necessary. This follows sanctions on the spouse of a Brazilian Supreme Court judge involved in Bolsonaro’s criminal case and revocation of visas for several Brazilian officials, eliciting sharp criticism from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who condemned these actions as attacks on Brazilian sovereignty and democratic institutions.

Similarly, the US is set to impose sanctions on Serbia’s Russian-owned oil company NIS starting October 1, a decision with potential ramifications for the country’s oil supply and banking operations. This move underscores the ongoing pressure Washington is applying to entities linked to Russia amid broader geopolitical tensions.

In the Middle East, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, during a historic visit to New York, called for the removal of US sanctions under the 2019 Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act, arguing that these punitive measures no longer reflect current realities and predominantly harm the Syrian population. Sharaa highlighted ongoing Syria-Israel security talks, which may influence future US policy on sanctions in the region.

This growing pattern of aggressive and expansive application of sanctions, including the imminent move against the ICC, reflects a broader US geopolitical posture where sanctions serve as a key instrument to protect national interests and exert influence globally. However, as critics warn, such measures carry risks of undermining international institutions and exacerbating global tensions.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

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https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-could-hit-entire-international-criminal-court-with-sanctions-soon-2025-09-22/ - The United States is poised to impose sweeping sanctions on the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes, a move that could severely disrupt the court’s daily operations. While the U.S. has already sanctioned individual ICC officials, extending sanctions to the entire institution would mark a significant escalation. Sources report that ICC officials and diplomats have held emergency meetings to assess the potential impact, and in preparation, ICC staff were paid in advance for the rest of 2025. The court is also seeking alternative suppliers for banking and software services.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-will-sanction-more-brazilian-officials-if-necessary-treasurys-bessent-says-2025-09-22/ - On September 22, 2025, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the United States is prepared to impose additional sanctions on Brazilian officials if deemed necessary. This statement follows recent U.S. sanctions placed on the wife of the Brazilian judge who oversaw the criminal case of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. Bessent also issued a warning to Brazilian financial institutions, cautioning that they could face penalties if they engage with individuals who have been sanctioned. When asked about the rationale behind targeting the judge’s wife, Bessent referenced the infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde, implying complicity. The move signals Washington’s heightened scrutiny and willingness to extend punitive measures in response to actions related to Bolsonaro’s legal proceedings.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-impose-sanctions-serbias-russian-owned-nis-vucic-says-2025-09-25/ - The U.S. will begin imposing sanctions on Serbia’s Russian-owned oil company NIS starting October 1, 2025, according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The company, which operates the only oil refinery in Serbia located in Pancevo, is partially owned by Russian firms Gazprom Neft (44.9%) and Gazprom (11.3%), with the Serbian government holding 29.9%. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control had initially sanctioned Russia’s oil sector in January 2025 and allowed Gazprom Neft 45 days to divest from NIS. However, the sanctions were postponed six times, most recently until September 26. A prior transfer of a 5.15% stake from Gazprom Neft to Gazprom in February attempted to avoid these sanctions. Vucic warned the sanctions could disrupt banking operations with NIS, complicating salary payments and other financial transactions, potentially affecting the country’s oil supply, which depends heavily on the Pancevo refinery and imports via Croatia's Janaf pipeline.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrias-sharaa-new-york-renews-call-us-formally-drop-sanctions-2025-09-22/ - During a historic visit to New York, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa renewed his appeal for the United States to formally lift sanctions imposed under the 2019 Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act. This marks the first attendance by a Syrian leader at the U.N. General Assembly since 1967. Sharaa, a former al Qaeda leader who led rebel forces in toppling Bashar al-Assad's regime last year, emphasized that the existing sanctions no longer apply to current realities and are now perceived by Syrians as punitive measures aimed at the population. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump having lifted most sanctions in May after a meeting in Riyadh, the Caesar Act remains in force. Congressional debate continues on whether to repeal it, potentially as part of the National Defense Authorization Act by year-end. Sharaa also confirmed that Syria-Israel security talks are progressing, with Syria seeking an end to Israeli airstrikes and military presence in the south. A possible security deal and Syria's role in an anti-ISIS coalition could influence the U.S. stance on sanctions. Sharaa, previously targeted by the U.S., highlighted the shift from conflict to dialogue, while cautioning against Kurdish decentralization efforts that could destabilize the region.
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https://www.ibanet.org/US-sanctions-against-the-International-Criminal-Court-are-denounced-by-the-IBA - The International Bar Association (IBA) denounces sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The IBA calls on all states to oppose sanctions and respect the judicial independence of the Court. IBA Executive Director Dr Mark Ellis commented: ‘The ICC is the cornerstone of the international justice architecture, created to realise the promise of “never again” and to bring justice to victims of “atrocities that deeply shock the conscience of humanity”. For this work, the Court, its officials, and those cooperating with it, have at times faced political threats, intimidation and attacks from those seeking to undermine the Court’s authority and obstruct its investigations. These attacks undo decades of progress for victims and weaken the rule of law globally.’ On 6 February 2025, United States President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order authorising sanctions against the ICC and its officials, including property blocking and visa bans for the persons designated by the Executive Order and their immediate family members.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative reports on the United States considering sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), with a publication date of September 24, 2025. This aligns with recent developments, including the U.S. signing Executive Order 14203 on February 6, 2025, imposing sanctions on the ICC. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14203?utm_source=openai)) The report cites sources indicating that 'so-called entity sanctions were expected soon,' suggesting the information is current. However, the narrative does not provide specific dates for the proposed sanctions, which would have enhanced its freshness score. Additionally, the report mentions that 'emergency meetings had already taken place within the court to assess and prepare for their impact,' indicating recent developments. The absence of specific dates for the proposed sanctions slightly reduces the freshness score. The narrative does not appear to be recycled content, as it provides new information not found in earlier reports. The lack of specific dates for the proposed sanctions slightly reduces the freshness score. The narrative does not appear to be recycled content, as it provides new information not found in earlier reports.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from a U.S. State Department spokesperson and an unnamed diplomat. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes reveals that they are unique to this report, indicating original or exclusive content. The absence of identical quotes in earlier material suggests that the content is original.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from China Daily, a state-owned media organisation. While it is a reputable source, its state ownership may influence the framing of the report. The report cites sources with knowledge of the matter, but these sources are not named, which slightly reduces the transparency and verifiability of the information.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative discusses the U.S. considering sanctions against the ICC, a development consistent with previous actions, such as the signing of Executive Order 14203 on February 6, 2025. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14203?utm_source=openai)) The report mentions that emergency meetings have taken place within the ICC to prepare for potential sanctions, which is plausible given the context. However, the narrative does not provide specific dates for the proposed sanctions, which would have enhanced its credibility. The lack of specific dates for the proposed sanctions slightly reduces the plausibility score.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative reports on the U.S. considering sanctions against the ICC, with information that aligns with recent developments. The quotes included appear to be original, and the source is reputable, though state-owned. The lack of specific dates for the proposed sanctions and the absence of named sources slightly reduce the overall confidence in the report's accuracy. Further verification from additional reputable sources is recommended to confirm the details of the proposed sanctions.

US sanctions
ICC
international justice