The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) president and a senior court lawyer.
The move marks another escalation in Washington’s campaign against the Hague-based court.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Tuesday.
The targeted officials are ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
US Accuses ICC Officials of Overstepping
Rubio said the two officials took part in ICC efforts against people from countries that do not accept the court’s authority.
More Read
The United States does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over US citizens.
Israel also rejects the court’s jurisdiction.
Washington has repeatedly criticised the ICC for investigating American and Israeli officials.
The Trump administration says such actions threaten US sovereignty.
Netanyahu Arrest Warrant at Centre of Dispute
The latest sanctions are closely linked to the ICC case involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024.
The court also issued a warrant for former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC prosecutor had accused both men of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza war.
Israel has rejected the allegations.
More Read
The United States has also strongly opposed the warrants.
Abdoulaye Seye Targeted by US
The US also imposed sanctions on ICC senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
Seye worked on the ICC case involving Israeli officials.
He also pursued the arrest warrant process involving Netanyahu.
The US government says ICC officials cannot lawfully target citizens of countries that have not accepted the court’s jurisdiction.
The sanctions therefore form part of a wider US campaign against the ICC.
What Do the US Sanctions Mean?
The sanctions can block access to US financial systems.
They can also freeze assets under US jurisdiction.
In addition, US persons and companies face restrictions on many transactions with designated individuals.
The measures can therefore make it harder for the targeted ICC officials to conduct financial activities linked to the United States.
ICC Rejects US Pressure
The ICC has strongly opposed the US sanctions.
The court said such measures undermine international law and the rule of law.
The ICC has continued to defend its work despite pressure from Washington.
The court says it has a legal mandate to investigate serious international crimes within its jurisdiction.
US Campaign Against ICC Expands
The Trump administration has already imposed sanctions on several ICC officials.
The measures began after the court investigated alleged crimes involving US personnel and Israeli officials.
Washington has argued that the ICC has no authority over Americans or Israelis without their countries’ consent.
The ICC, however, maintains that it can exercise jurisdiction in situations covered by the Rome Statute.
The dispute has become a major issue in international law.
Washington and The Hague Remain Divided
The latest sanctions show that the conflict between Washington and the ICC is growing.
The United States says the court has exceeded its legal authority.
The ICC says its work follows international law.
The dispute is also closely linked to the Gaza war and the arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
Further US action against ICC officials remains possible as the legal dispute continues.
