Top Iranian cleric issues 'fatwa' against Trump and Netanyahu
What's the story
Iran's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, has issued a religious decree, or fatwa, against Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decree calls them "enemies of God" and urges Muslims worldwide to unite against them. It also labels any person or regime threatening Islamic leadership as a "warlord" or "mohareb," a term used under Iranian law for those waging war against God. Those identified as mohareb can face execution, crucifixion, limb amputation, or exile.
Fatwa
He called for the return of the Mahdi
"It is clear that threatening the life of any person who is a pillar of the Islamic system, the Marja'iyyat (religious authority), and leadership, especially the supreme leader, is forbidden and religiously prohibited," Shirazi wrote. "It is obligatory to defend them and to confront the perpetrators of such threats," he added. The fatwa further stated that any support or cooperation by Muslims or Islamic states with these enemies will be considered "haram," or forbidden.
Others
Religious ruling calls for return of the Mahdi
"Muslims around the world must stand firm against such enemies and their open crimes. If they carry out such an act, they will face severe and divine punishment, and they will undoubtedly be avenged," his religious ruling read. He finished his ruling with a prayer for protection from these "enemies" and the return of the Mahdi, a messianic figure in Shiite Islam. A fatwa is an interpretation of Islamic law issued by a Marja, the highest-ranking Twelver Shia religious cleric.
Conflict escalation
'12-Day war' between Iran, Israel, US
The fatwa comes after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel that began on June 13. The conflict started with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing top scientists and commanders. In retaliation, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israeli cities. The United States then joined the conflict by attacking three Iranian nuclear sites. Subsequently, Trump warned that any further enrichment of uranium by Iran to weapons-grade levels would result in more US action.
Controversial decree
This fatwa is not the first of its kind
The fatwa is not the first of its kind from Iranian clerics. A similar decree was issued in 1989 against author Salman Rushdie after his novel The Satanic Verses was released, which many Muslims found offensive. That fatwa forced Rushdie into hiding, resulted in the murder of a Japanese translator, and prompted several attacks on the book's publishers. He has since survived other assassination attempts, including a stabbing incident in 2023 that resulted in the loss of one eye.