Iran’s Top Shiite Cleric Drops a Fatwa Against Trump and Netanyahu, Sparking Global Alarm
In a move that’s raising serious eyebrows worldwide, Iran’s leading Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued a religious decree — or fatwa — against former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this past Sunday. The decree calls on Muslims around the globe to stand against these two leaders, labeling them as enemies of the Islamic community. Experts are sounding the alarm, with some describing the fatwa as a dangerous incitement to terrorism.
What Exactly Did the Fatwa Say?
The fatwa, as reported by the New York Sun, is nothing short of severe. It declares that any person or government threatening the leadership and unity of the global Islamic community, known as the Ummah, should be considered a "warlord" or “mohareb.” In Islamic jurisprudence, a mohareb is someone who wages war against God — a designation that carries extremely harsh penalties under Iranian law, including execution, crucifixion, limb amputation, or exile.
Makarem Shirazi didn’t hold back in his statement: “Those who threaten the leadership and integrity of the Islamic Ummah are to be considered warlords.” He wrapped up the ruling with a prayer asking for protection from these so-called “enemies” and called for the swift return of the Mahdi — a messianic figure in Shiite Islam who is believed to bring justice and peace.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
To understand the gravity of this fatwa, we need to dive into the context. Iran has a long history of issuing such religious rulings that have deep political and sometimes violent consequences. The most infamous fatwa in recent history was the 1989 decree against British-Indian author Salman Rushdie after his book The Satanic Verses was released. Many Muslims worldwide considered the novel offensive and blasphemous, leading to Rushdie being forced into hiding for years.
The Rushdie fatwa had deadly consequences: a Japanese translator was murdered, publishers faced attacks, and Rushdie himself narrowly survived a brutal stabbing in 2023 that left him gravely injured, including the loss of an eye. The legacy of that fatwa still looms large today, a chilling reminder of how such decrees can translate into real-world violence.
The Current Context: The “12-Day War”
This fatwa didn’t come out of nowhere. It followed a fierce 12-day conflict, dubbed by many as the “12-Day War,” involving aggressive American and Israeli actions against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
On June 13, Israeli airstrikes hit Iranian nuclear and military sites, reportedly killing key scientists and military commanders. The Iranian government retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, escalating tensions in the region. Just a week later, the U.S. joined the fray, targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities with airstrikes.
Former President Trump had previously warned that any attempt by Iran to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels would trigger further U.S. military responses. His warning came just after a short ceasefire that briefly calmed the intense conflict, but the latest fatwa signals that the tensions remain far from resolved.
A Global Concern
British-Iranian commentator Niyak Ghorbani was quick to condemn the fatwa, describing it as a state-sponsored call to global terrorism. On his social media, he pointed out that the Islamic Republic’s aggression extends beyond its borders and internal dissent.
“The West must realize: the Islamic Republic is not only targeting its own people — it is preparing for global violence in the name of religion,” Ghorbani wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter). His warning highlights a chilling reality: this fatwa may be less about local politics and more about inciting widespread religiously motivated violence on an international scale.
The Bigger Picture: Fatwas as Political Tools
Fatwas, while religious in nature, have often been used as powerful political tools in Iran and other parts of the Muslim world. They can mobilize supporters, legitimize violence, and create a sense of divine justification for certain actions.
In the case of this fatwa against Trump and Netanyahu, it’s a clear message that the Iranian religious leadership sees these figures as existential threats to the unity of the global Islamic community. The labeling of individuals as mohareb, or enemies of God, is one of the harshest accusations in Shiite Islam, signaling that the cleric’s ruling is no mere symbolic gesture.
What Could This Mean for Global Security?
Such religious decrees carry weight, especially in Iran, where the clerical establishment holds significant sway over politics and military strategy. By framing Trump and Netanyahu as enemies of the Ummah, this fatwa could potentially legitimize violent actions against them or their supporters in the eyes of radical groups.
This move raises concerns about potential escalations of violence, not just in the volatile Middle East but around the world, as extremist factions may feel emboldened to act on religious edicts. Governments and security agencies globally will likely be monitoring this situation closely.
A History of Dangerous Fatwas
The Rushdie fatwa is a stark example of how such religious rulings can spark international crises. Salman Rushdie, targeted for his literary work, became a symbol of free speech under attack by religious extremism. Over three decades later, his near-fatal stabbing attack in New York brought the issue back into the spotlight.
The Iranian government’s willingness to use fatwas as a tool to intimidate and threaten global figures is not new. But in today’s interconnected world, such declarations carry more risk than ever, with the potential to inspire violence beyond Iran’s borders.
What’s Next?
The global community faces a tricky challenge in responding to this latest fatwa. While diplomatic channels remain vital, the rhetoric coming from Iran’s highest religious authorities underscores the deep ideological divides that continue to fuel tensions in the Middle East.
Whether this fatwa will translate into real-world actions remains to be seen, but its issuance serves as a stark reminder that religion and politics in Iran remain tightly intertwined, with consequences that can ripple far beyond the region.
Key Takeaways:
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Iran’s top Shiite cleric issued a fatwa against Trump and Netanyahu, labeling them as enemies of Islam.
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The decree calls for Muslims worldwide to oppose those threatening the Islamic Ummah.
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Such fatwas can carry deadly consequences, as history with Salman Rushdie’s case shows.
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The fatwa follows recent military strikes between Israel, the U.S., and Iran during a tense 12-day conflict.
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Commentators warn this fatwa signals potential for increased global religiously motivated violence.
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Governments worldwide must remain vigilant to the risks posed by such incendiary religious decrees.
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