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US Prepares Sweeping Sanctions Against ICC
Confirmed
In Short: The Trump administration is preparing sweeping sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) that could disrupt the tribunal’s finances and day-to-day operations, according to reports.
These sanctions would prohibit most transactions with the ICC after a grace period of six to seven months, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
The sanctions are part of a broader strategy that has already seen the US sanction more than a dozen ICC judges and prosecutors under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025.
Four US-based rights groups have already sued the Trump administration in August, arguing that existing sanctions obstruct their legal and human rights work.
The ICC president and registrar have warned that sanctions on the organization as a whole could interfere with its ability to buy information technology and insurance services, hire investigators, and make routine payments, including salaries for American employees.
Banks and other companies often take a cautious approach to US sanctions because they rely on access to the American financial system.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also taken steps to sanction Iran and Russia, with Trump signing a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia’s economy and extending sanctions to Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.
The bill includes sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior figures within the Russian government, and financial institutions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would impose sanctions on a major, unnamed bank early next week as part of its economic pressure campaign against Iran.
The Trump administration has also sanctioned South Africa over claims that whites, especially the Afrikaner group, are being discriminated against by their Black-led government.
These actions reflect the Trump administration's aggressive stance on sanctions and its willingness to target entities and countries it deems a threat to US interests.
Background
California and 20 other states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits challenging new Trump administration rules that could deny green cards to immigrants who have used public assistance programs.
California and 20 other states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits challenging new Trump administration rules that could deny green cards to immigrants who have used public assistance programs.
What's confirmed
- These sanctions would prohibit most transactions with the ICC after a grace period of six to seven months, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
- The sanctions are part of a broader strategy that has already seen the US sanction more than a dozen ICC judges and prosecutors under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025.
- Four US-based rights groups have already sued the Trump administration in August, arguing that existing sanctions obstruct their legal and human rights work.
- The ICC president and registrar have warned that sanctions on the organization as a whole could interfere with its ability to buy information technology and insurance services, hire investigators, and make routine payments, including salaries for American employees.
- Banks and other companies often take a cautious approach to US sanctions because they rely on access to the American financial system.
- Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also taken steps to sanction Iran and Russia, with Trump signing a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia’s economy and extending sanctions to Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.
- The bill includes sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior figures within the Russian government, and financial institutions.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would impose sanctions on a major, unnamed bank early next week as part of its economic pressure campaign against Iran.
- The Trump administration has also sanctioned South Africa over claims that whites, especially the Afrikaner group, are being discriminated against by their Black-led government.
- These actions reflect the Trump administration's aggressive stance on sanctions and its willingness to target entities and countries it deems a threat to US interests.
What's still developing
- The Trump administration is reportedly preparing sweeping sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) that could disrupt the tribunal’s finances and day-to-day operations.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Tuesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval, that Israel would close the British Consulate in Jerusalem and impose a series of countermeasures in response to the U.K. sanctions.
- "The sanctions regime will target illegal settlement and settlement expansion. Not Israel," Miliband said, adding that Britain would continue to support trade with Israel inside the Green Line and that he "wholeheartedly" opposed the broader Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
- He reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism, called for Hamas to disarm and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure under the U.S. -led 20-point Gaza plan, and announced sanctions against Hezbollah financing institution Al-Qard Al-Hassan.
- He also said Britain was reimposing major economic sanctions on Iran and would continue security cooperation with Israel against shared threats.
- "He died doing the work he was born to do," Trump said at the time.
- Senator Richard Blumenthal, a New York Democrat, previously described the legislation as "scorching sanctions" which would "throttle Putin's war machine".
- Srinagar, Sep 11: US President Donald Trump rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to order strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, Axios reported, citing two US officials.
- MBS called Trump twice on Thursday, urging US military action as Houthi forces advanced towards the strategic Bab el-Mandeb shipping chokepoint, the report said.
- US officials said the Trump administration currently has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis.
- The Russia sanctions bill was previously stalled in the US House of Representatives due to opposition from corporate lobbying groups and concerns regarding expanded tariff powers.
- Meanwhile, sanctions are operating alongside a maritime blockade that has already caused a steep fall in Iranian oil exports.
Sources
- Al Jazeeralink
- Fox Newslink
- BBClink
- Greaterkashmirlink
- Ksatlink
- United24Medialink
- Middleeasteyelink
- Al Jazeeralink
- Turkiyetodaylink
- Newsukrainelink
- Moneycontrollink
- Politicolink
- Englishlink
- WarpBeat — background on States and Cities Sue Trump Administration Over New Green Card Policies link
- WarpBeat — background on States and Cities Sue Trump Administration Over New Green Card Policy link
- MIRROR NOW — video link