Iran Issues Fatwa Declaring Trump and Netanyahu ‘Enemies of God’, Calls for Global Muslim Resistance
Tehran: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran has issued a controversial fatwa targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The religious decree, issued by prominent Iranian Shia cleric Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, brands both leaders as “enemies of God” and urges all Muslims worldwide to refrain from offering any form of support or cooperation to them. The fatwa further calls upon the global Islamic community to make both leaders “repent” for their actions.
Religious Grounds and Legal Implications
The fatwa, grounded in Islamic jurisprudence, identifies Trump and Netanyahu as Mohareb—a term used in Iranian Islamic law for those who “wage war against God.” According to Ayatollah Shirazi, anyone who threatens a Marja (a senior Islamic scholar) or an Islamic authority falls under this category. Under Iranian law, such individuals can face severe punishments including death, crucifixion, amputation, or exile.
The cleric emphasized that supporting individuals categorized as Mohareb is haram (forbidden) in Islam. “It is the duty of every Muslim, wherever they reside, to oppose these enemies of God and ensure they regret their misdeeds,” the fatwa states. Furthermore, it assures divine reward for any Muslim who faces hardship or loss while fulfilling this religious obligation, likening such efforts to fighting in the path of God.
Escalation of the Iran-Israel Conflict
This decree comes in the wake of a renewed and intense military conflict between Iran and Israel, which erupted on June 13. The conflict was initiated by Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military and suspected nuclear installations under the operation codenamed Rising Lion. In retaliation, Iran launched Operation True Promise 3, deploying a series of missile and drone attacks on strategic Israeli infrastructure.
U.S. Intervention and Regional Tensions
As the conflict intensified, the United States intervened, targeting three key Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—in a series of precision strikes. Iran responded swiftly by launching missile attacks on U.S. military bases located in Qatar and Iraq. The cycle of escalation threatened to spiral into a broader regional war.
However, following intense diplomatic pressure, a temporary ceasefire was announced. On Tuesday (IST), Donald Trump—despite no longer holding office—played a role in brokering the ceasefire between Iran and Israel. His involvement has drawn renewed criticism from Iranian leaders, leading to the issuance of the fatwa.
A Call for Global Religious Mobilization
The fatwa represents not just a condemnation of two world leaders but a strategic call for religious mobilization across the Islamic world. By invoking religious sentiments, Iran seeks to build wider Muslim opposition to perceived aggressors in the West and Israel.
While the fatwa has garnered strong support from hardline factions within Iran, it has also sparked concern internationally. Human rights advocates and political analysts warn that such decrees may incite violence and deepen sectarian divides, especially in an already volatile region.
As the situation remains tense, global powers continue to monitor developments closely. Whether the fatwa will influence broader geopolitical dynamics or remain symbolic in nature is yet to be seen.
