Iran Issues Fatwa Against Trump and Netanyahu, Sparking Global Concerns

In a significant escalation, Iran's Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi issued a fatwa targeting U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This religious decree, supported by over 400 Shiite clerics in Qom, declared the two leaders as "mohareb" (warriors against God), a crime punishable by death under Sharia law.
The fatwa, which calls for their assassination, has been endorsed by prominent clerical figures, including Grand Ayatollah Hossein Noori Hamedani. It has sparked widespread concern, as it effectively constitutes a declaration of war against the United States and Israel.
Iranian groups, such as The Blood Covenant, have emerged, raising millions to reward those who carry out the assassinations. A state-appointed cleric in West Azerbaijan Province even offered a bounty of $1.14 million for Trump's head.
This follows previous U.S. intelligence reports of Iranian assassination plots targeting Trump and other U.S. officials. In June 2023, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps members linked to these plots.
The open calls for assassination pose a serious threat to global security. U.S. officials must treat this as a de facto declaration of war, responding with terror designations, expanded sanctions, and asset seizures. The situation underscores the need for robust counter-terrorism measures to safeguard U.S. interests and international stability.

Published: 7/25/2025