Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a prominent Iranian cleric, has issued a fatwa calling for Muslim retaliation against US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This religious decree brands both leaders as “warlords” or “mohareb” under Islamic law, a designation that carries severe penalties in Iran. Could this fatwa stir anxiety among the American people?
Iranian Cleric’s Fatwa Targets Trump and Netanyahu
Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has issued a religious decree targeting US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling them as “warlords” against the Islamic community. The fatwa specifically calls for global Muslim action against the two leaders for threatening the Islamic Republic’s leadership and unity.
Under Iranian law, the designation of “mohareb” or “enemy of God” can result in severe punishments, including execution. The decree states, “Those who threaten the leadership and integrity of the Islamic Ummah are to be considered warlords,” establishing a religious justification for potential retaliatory actions.
Incoming Terror ALERT: iRAN ISSUES FATWA AGAINST TRUMP: Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi — one of the most senior Shia clerics in Qom — has issued a ruling declaring that threats against Khamenei by President Trump and others amount to a “war against Islam.” Remaining… pic.twitter.com/nLMjaLu3w2
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) June 29, 2025
Escalating Tensions Following Military Operations
The religious edict comes in the wake of a reported 12-day conflict where US and Israeli forces conducted operations that significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear sites. During this period, Israeli air attacks targeted Iranian nuclear and military installations, resulting in casualties among senior scientists and commanders.
Iran responded to these attacks with ballistic missile strikes aimed at Israeli urban centers. The United States subsequently joined the conflict by targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, further escalating the situation.
Trump decided to spare the demon
The demon has now declared a fatwa on Trump. https://t.co/OuR07clk7f pic.twitter.com/rPAk6Isw1G
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) June 29, 2025
Historical Context and Potential Consequences
This fatwa bears striking similarity to the 1989 edict issued against author Salman Rushdie, which led to violence and multiple assassination attempts over several decades. The religious decree against Trump and Netanyahu concludes with a prayer for protection from enemies and invokes the arrival of the Mahdi, a prophesied redeemer figure in Shiite Islam.
Trump has previously warned that any further Iranian uranium enrichment would provoke additional American responses. The issuance of this fatwa represents a significant development in the ongoing tensions between Iran and Western powers, potentially serving as a rallying cry for extremists and further complicating diplomatic efforts in the region.