Reference News, September 23 - According to Reuters, September 22, the United States is considering imposing comprehensive sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as early as this week in retaliation for the court's investigation into alleged war crimes by Israel, which would put the court's daily operations in jeopardy.
The report said that previously, the United States had imposed sanctions on several prosecutors and judges of the court, and adding the court itself to the sanctions list would mean a significant escalation of the situation.
Six sources said that a decision on "comprehensive sanctions" is expected to be announced soon.
A source revealed that officials of the International Criminal Court have held an emergency internal meeting to discuss the potential impact of comprehensive sanctions. Two other sources said that diplomats from the court's member states also met to discuss the matter.
A U.S. official confirmed that the United States is considering imposing comprehensive sanctions on the court, but did not disclose specific timing.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State previously criticized the International Criminal Court for asserting jurisdiction over U.S. and Israeli personnel, and stated that the U.S. would take further measures, but did not specify what those measures would be.
The spokesperson said: "The International Criminal Court still has the opportunity to make changes through key and appropriate structural reforms. As long as the International Criminal Court continues to pose a threat to our national interests, the United States will continue to take measures to protect our brave soldiers and other personnel."
If the International Criminal Court as an entity is sanctioned, its daily operations, including salary payments, access to bank accounts, and the use of regular office software on computers, would be affected.
Three sources said that in order to mitigate potential losses, the court has already paid its employees' full-year salaries for 2025 this month. (Translated by Wang Dongdong)
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