The administration is moving to impose broad sanctions on the International Criminal Court that could halt most financial transactions and routine services with the tribunal for up to seven months, according to two people familiar with the plan.

The proposed measures would prohibit U.S. citizens and companies from supplying the court with money, goods or services without a license from the Treasury Department. Banks and firms that depend on access to the American financial system are expected to adopt a cautious stance, fearing secondary penalties.

If enacted, the sanctions would interfere with the court’s ability to purchase information‑technology tools, secure insurance, hire investigators and pay salaries, including those of American staff, officials warned in earlier statements.

The International Criminal Court, established in 2002 to prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when national courts are unable or unwilling, has never counted the United States as a member. Washington has already sanctioned more than a dozen judges and prosecutors under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025, and in August added ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye to the list, with restrictions taking effect on September 17.

The latest move follows heightened tension after the court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Both Israel and the United States reject the court’s jurisdiction.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in July a campaign to further isolate the tribunal, urging other nations to withdraw from it. Recent withdrawals from the court include Chad, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Four U.S.-based rights organizations filed a lawsuit in August, arguing that existing sanctions impede their legal and human‑rights work.