Trump sanctions ICC over prosecution of Americans, vows to cripple court

President Donald Trump has sanctioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a bid to cut off its resources and cripple its operations, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio accused the court of targeting Americans and called it a "rogue court," vowing to ban transactions with it and cripple its ability to operate.

The sanctions come amid ongoing opposition from the US to the ICC, particularly over its arrest warrants against Israeli officials and past investigations into US soldiers in Afghanistan. The ICC's Deputy Prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan, condemned the move, stating it would not deter the court from carrying out its responsibilities.

The sanctions could have wider implications, potentially affecting companies providing services to the institution due to US Treasury's issuance of general licenses for certain transactions. The ICC, established in 2002, has 125 member states and has faced political pressure, as evidenced by the recent Nobel Peace Prize awarded to South African jurist Navi Pillay.