Tehran: U.S. sanctions on four International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) judges have been labeled as disgraceful and despicable by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei. These sanctions target judges from Benin, Peru, Slovenia, and Uganda following the court’s investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei condemned the U.S. decision on his social media platform X, stating that sanctioning I.C.C. judges represents a significant overreach, even for a nation that frequently employs intimidation in foreign policy. He further criticized the U.S. for its misuse of power within the United Nations Security Council, particularly in vetoing resolutions aimed at halting the conflict in Gaza, suggesting this protects Israel from accountability regarding its actions against Palestinians.

Additionally, Baqaei argued that these actions implicate the U.S. in crimes committed by Israel, urging the international community to challenge these actions, which he believes undermine international rights and humanitarian principles.

The I.C.C. itself has responded to the sanctions. As reported by NBS News, the court’s spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, declared the sanctions an assault on the independence of an international judicial entity. Human Rights Watch also expressed concern, viewing the sanctions as an attack on the rule of law and an attempt to hinder the I.C.C.’s pursuit of accountability for serious offenses occurring in Palestine.

Furthermore, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk criticized the sanctions, describing them as detrimental to good governance and justice administration.