Iranian Grand Ayatollah Issues Fatwa Calling for Assassination of Trump and Netanyahu

In a stark and controversial move, Iranian Shiite Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, 98, has issued a fatwa calling on Muslims worldwide to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The fatwa, reported by the semi-official Iranian news outlet Mehr News Agency, declares anyone who threatens Iran's religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or senior Shiite clerics to be an "Enemy of God," necessitating their elimination under Islamic teachings.
Shirazi's fatwa stems from perceived threats against Khamenei and the Shiite religious establishment, branding such threats as a declaration of war against Islam. The fatwa further condemns any Muslim or Islamic state supporting or cooperating with these enemies as haram, or forbidden. Shirazi emphasized the need for global Muslim unity in confronting these threats, urging decisive action to hold them accountable.
Analysts warn that this fatwa mirrors the 1989 fatwa against author Salman Rushdie, which led to numerous assassination attempts, including a 2022 attack that gravely injured Rushdie. Iran analyst Khosro Isfahani cautioned that Shirazi's edict could incite violence against Trump and Netanyahu, with potentially far-reaching consequences for global security and diplomatic relations.

Published: 6/29/2025