Iranian Cleric Issues Fatwa Against Trump and Netanyahu Amidst Rising Tensions

A prominent Iranian Shiite cleric issued a religious decree, a fatwa, targeting President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Experts have suggested this action could be interpreted as incitement to terrorism.

The fatwa, issued by Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, called upon Muslims worldwide to take a stand. It declared that any individual or government challenging the leadership and unity of the global Islamic community would be considered a "warlord" or "mohareb." Under Iranian law, those labeled as mohareb can face severe penalties, including execution.

In his ruling, Makarem stated that those who threaten the Islamic community's leadership and integrity are to be considered warlords. He concluded with a prayer for protection from these "enemies" and for the swift return of the Mahdi, a significant figure in Shiite Islam.

The fatwa drew condemnation from British-Iranian commentator Niyak Ghorbani, who described it as state-endorsed incitement to global terrorism. He noted that the Islamic Republic's aggression extends beyond domestic dissent, signaling broader international ambitions for religiously motivated violence.

This religious decree followed a period of intense conflict, referred to as the "12-Day War." During this time, American and Israeli actions reportedly caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear capabilities. Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities, resulting in casualties. In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israeli cities. The United States later joined the conflict, striking Iranian nuclear sites.

This is not the first instance of Iranian clerics using fatwas to incite violence. The 1989 decree against author Salman Rushdie, following the publication of his novel "The Satanic Verses," is a notable example. This fatwa forced Rushdie into hiding, led to the murder of a translator, and multiple attacks on the book’s publishers. Rushdie has survived multiple assassination attempts since, including a 2023 stabbing attack.