Top Iranian cleric issues fatwa against Trump and Netanyahu as enemies of God

In Iran, prominent cleric Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi issued a fatwa on June 29, 2025, against U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring them as 'enemies of God.' The religious ruling came after a series of military confrontations known as the "12-Day War," which involved Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and a subsequent retaliatory missile assault by Iran on Israeli urban areas. This escalation of conflict marked a significant point in ongoing tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, heightening fears of potential wider violence. The fatwa identifies Trump and Netanyahu as 'mohareb', indicating they are waging war against God, which under Iranian law can lead to severe consequences including execution or crucifixion. Shirazi called for Muslims worldwide to resist these perceived aggressors and asserted that any threats against the Islamic Ummah's leadership would be met with severe retaliation. The fatwa also highlighted the sentiment among Iranian clerics regarding the interplay of military action and religious doctrine, suggesting that figures like Shirazi are using fatwas as a means to justify further hostility and recruit support for jihad against these leaders. This incident also illustrates how theocratic authority in Iran employs religious decrees to mobilize populations, engaging in acts of political defiance cloaked in religious obligation. Internationally, this declaration has raised alarms, with commentators pointing out that it signals both an incitement to violence and a broader ambition for aggression, challenging the notion of stability in the region. The response from the U.S. and Israel remains largely unaddressed at this point, but it sets a precarious precedent for future interactions and international diplomacy. Overall, the issuance of this fatwa and the inflamed rhetoric surrounding it underscore the fragility of peace in the Middle East as geopolitical dynamics evolve under the shadow of religious interpretations that endorse violence and retribution. With both Israeli airstrikes and American involvement in Iran's nuclear sites intensifying the stakes involved, the actions taken by Makarem Shirazi serve as a stark reminder of the complexities faced by global actors in seeking resolution in this volatile environment.