Iran has strongly criticized the United States for imposing sanctions on four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, calling the move a “new low” in American foreign policy. The sanctions come after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and previously opened investigations into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, condemned the U.S. decision in a post on X, saying the act of targeting judges for carrying out their judicial duties revealed the U.S. “addiction to coercion and intimidation.”

Baghaei linked the U.S. action to its recent vote against a UN Security Council resolution intended to halt what Iran calls “genocide” in Gaza. He asserted that Washington’s stance reinforces its role as a “persistent accomplice” in Israeli actions against Palestinians.

Calling on the global community to reject such “barbarism,” Baghaei warned that these sanctions undermine international law and the principles of justice.

The U.S. State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, confirmed that the sanctioned ICC judges include Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza (Peru), Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou (Benin), and Beti Hohler (Slovenia). The Biden administration argues that the ICC overstepped its authority in pursuing the Israeli Prime Minister and past U.S. actions.

The development has sparked widespread international concern over judicial independence and political pressure on global institutions. Iran’s strong response adds to mounting criticism from countries and human rights groups supporting the ICC’s investigations.