Link . The International Criminal Court (ICC) has limited jurisdiction over a potential Iran-US war because neither nation is a member state. While the ICC defines the "crime of aggression" as the use of armed force against another state's sovereignty, its involvement requires a UN Security Council referral, as the US and Iran are not parties to the Rome Statute. The Washington Post The Washington Post Key aspects of the ICC's relationship with US-Iran conflict: Lack of Jurisdiction: The ICC cannot automatically prosecute acts of aggression between the US and Iran. US Sanctions: The United States has imposed sanctions on ICC officials to prevent investigations into its personnel or its allies (Israel), accusing the court of politicized actions. Potential for Action: Iran could theoretically request ICC intervention regarding sanctions, but this risks exposing its own actions to international investigation. Legal Challenges: Outside of the ICC, international legal analysts have argued that US/Israeli strikes against Iran lack legal justification, questioning the "anticipatory self-defence" arguments. Al Jazeera Al Jazeera +5 As of early 2026, the ICC's ability to act is restricted by US sanctions against its judges, which the court has described as an attack on the international legal order. Al Jazeera Al Jazeera +1