Iran's top Shia cleric issues fatwa against Trump and Netanyahu, calls them 'enemies of God'

The situation escalated further when US forces joined Israel in striking three Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to strike back by targeting an American military base in Qatar. File Pic

Iran's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, has issued a fatwa - a religious decree - against US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labelling them as "enemies of God." The decree urges Muslims worldwide to unite and take action against the American and Israeli leaders, accusing them of threatening Iran's religious leadership.

In the fatwa, the top Shia cleric stated, "Any person or regime that threatens the Leader or Marja (May God forbid) is considered a ‘warlord' or ‘mohareb'." Under Iranian law, a mohareb - someone deemed to be waging war against God - can face severe punishments, including execution, crucifixion, amputation, or exile, according to reports by Fox News.

The decree further condemned any support for the US or Israel from Muslims or Islamic nations, declaring such cooperation as haram (forbidden). "All Muslims around the world must make these enemies regret their words and actions," it said, adding that those who suffer loss or hardship in resisting these "enemies" will be rewarded as fighters in the way of God.

This dramatic religious ruling comes in the wake of a 12-day conflict that began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes in Iran, targeting top military personnel and nuclear scientists. Tehran retaliated with ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities. The situation escalated further when U.S. forces joined Israel in striking three Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to strike back by targeting an American military base in Qatar.

What is a Fatwa?
A fatwa is a legal interpretation or ruling in Islamic law issued by a Marja, the highest-ranking cleric in Twelver Shia Islam. Though not always legally binding, fatwas carry significant weight, especially when issued by senior religious authorities.

This isn't the first time Iran has issued a fatwa calling for violence. One of the most infamous examples was the 1989 decree against author Salman Rushdie over his novel The Satanic Verses, which many Muslims viewed as blasphemous. That fatwa called for Rushdie's assassination, forcing him into hiding for years and resulting in multiple attacks, including the murder of a Japanese translator and assaults on publishers. In 2023, Rushdie was again targeted in a stabbing attack in New York, leading to the loss of one of his eyes.

The latest fatwa from Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi highlights the ongoing use of religious authority as a political tool amid escalating tensions between Iran, the U.S., and Israel.