U.S. Urged to Hit Iranian Clerics with Sanctions Over Fatwas Calling for Trump’s Assassination
A fresh report from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is ringing alarm bells, calling on the U.S. government to slap sanctions on senior Iranian clerics and regime-linked organizations pushing Islamic legal rulings — or fatwas — that demand the torture and assassination of President Donald Trump, other American citizens, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
What’s a Fatwa—and Why Is This a Big Deal?
These fatwas go beyond religious decree; they wield serious legal weight under Iran’s interpretation of Sharia law. The clerics invoke a charge called mohareb, which roughly translates to "waging war against God." According to Iranian penal code, this charge is punishable by brutal acts including crucifixion and even the amputation of limbs. It’s a harsh form of justice that’s terrifyingly real under the regime’s strict religious laws.
Jason Brodsky, UANI’s policy director, put it bluntly to Fox News Digital, “These aren’t abstract religious statements. They’re direct threats from regime officials aimed at the President of the United States.” He urged the U.S. government to respond firmly with sanctions, law enforcement measures, and immigration reviews.
The Grave Threats Against Trump and Netanyahu
Among the most notorious clerics on UANI’s new list is Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi, nicknamed the "Sultan of Sugar" because of his iron grip on Iran’s sugar industry. Makarem-Shirazi hasn’t held back—he has openly called for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu to face execution under the charge of mohareb. And it’s not just a quick execution he demands; he endorses torturing these leaders before their deaths. Chilling, right?
Then there’s Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani, a direct disciple of Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s revolutionary founder. Back in the late 1970s, Hamedani served as Khomeini’s representative in Europe, and since then, he has issued fatwas targeting Jewish communities and leaders like Trump and Netanyahu. His rulings amount to incitement of terrorism—a fact that UANI warns should not be ignored.
Using Religion as a Front for Terrorism Abroad
UANI’s chairman, former Governor Jeb Bush, and CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace, who served as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. for Management and Reform, made a joint statement: “Today, UANI exposes those hiding behind religion to foment terrorism overseas. Threats against the President of the United States and other Americans are federal crimes.” They stress that these individuals and entities should be sanctioned, indicted, and banned from traveling to the U.S. and its allies—including their families.
Why does this matter? Because the last fatwa issued against an American citizen—author Salman Rushdie—almost ended in tragedy. Back in 2022, Rushdie was brutally stabbed by an Iranian regime sympathizer in what was widely believed to be a direct consequence of the fatwa calling for his death. The scars he carries are a stark reminder of how deadly these decrees can be.
A Deeper Look: More Names and Connections
The list UANI published includes 11 individuals and two regime-linked institutions that, surprisingly, have yet to be sanctioned under U.S. counterterrorism laws. UANI is pushing to have all of them designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224—reserved for those actively involved in or supporting terrorism.
One such figure is Ayatollah Mohsen Araki. He’s a former representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the UK and heads the Islamic Center of England—a place the regime uses to export its radical Islamic Revolution across Europe. Araki recently made threats against both Trump and Netanyahu, declaring that “their lives and property are no longer protected” and branding the U.S. government and president as “hostile infidel” forces in the eyes of Muslims worldwide.
Brodsky explains how Araki’s activities illustrate a bigger problem: “Iran leverages religious institutions in the West to spread its revolutionary and extremist ideology. This raises huge concerns about how so-called religious charities are actually vehicles for radicalism.”
The Dark Role of Mahdism and IRGC Influence
Another dangerous player is Alireza Panahian, closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He’s described as a key architect of Mahdism, an extremist ideology within Iran that sees the destruction of Israel and annihilation of Jews as necessary conditions for the return of the Hidden Imam—a messianic figure in Shia Islam. Panahian openly calls for terrorist attacks on U.S.-led forces in the Middle East and beyond, making him a direct threat.
UANI is also spotlighting the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the regime’s official TV network. The report reveals that IRIB has aired programs promoting bounties ranging from $10 million to $20 million on President Trump’s head and solicited donations to fund his assassination. The IRIB’s studio in Tehran was famously bombed by the Israeli Air Force during the intense 12-day conflict.
The Qom Seminary’s Role in Endorsing Terror Fatwas
The Qom Seminary, Iran’s top religious training institution, is not exempt either. It has publicly endorsed the fatwa calling for Trump and Netanyahu’s deaths and even pledged to actively implement it. Faculty and students reportedly signed statements committing themselves to spread and uphold this deadly decree.
The implications are clear: this isn’t just rogue clerics acting alone. It’s a deeply institutionalized, regime-backed campaign to sanction and spread violent jihad against America and its allies.
Why the U.S. Needs to Act—Now
UANI’s warnings come at a critical time. The U.S. must consider these fatwas not as distant religious rhetoric but as real, targeted threats that demand immediate and serious response. The organization insists on the following actions:
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Sanctioning the named individuals and institutions under Executive Order 13224.
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Launching law enforcement investigations.
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Tightening immigration reviews to prevent potential terrorist entry.
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Increasing scrutiny on Iranian religious charities operating abroad to stop them from spreading extremist ideology.
Former Governor Jeb Bush, speaking alongside Ambassador Wallace, underscored the urgency: “The people who threaten Americans with violence are breaking federal law. It’s time for the full force of the law to come down on them.”
Remembering the Salman Rushdie Attack
It’s crucial to remember the near-fatal stabbing of Salman Rushdie—an incident that illustrates the real-world consequences these fatwas can unleash. Rushdie, once a target of a similar Iranian fatwa, was attacked in 2022 by an assailant linked to regime sympathizers. He lost sight in one eye and suffered nerve damage, a violent reminder that words on paper can quickly turn into deadly actions.
Now, similar fatwas are being directed at the sitting President of the United States. That should make every American sit up and take notice.
Key Takeaways:
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Fatwas issued by Iranian clerics call for torture and assassination of Trump, Netanyahu, and others.
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Charges of mohareb in Iranian law mandate severe punishments like crucifixion.
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UANI urges the U.S. to sanction these clerics and affiliated regime institutions.
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Notorious figures include Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi and Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani.
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Iran uses religious institutions abroad, like the Islamic Center of England, to export extremist ideology.
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The IRIB TV network promoted a multi-million dollar bounty on President Trump.
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The Qom Seminary publicly supports and spreads the deadly fatwas.
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The U.S. government is called to act decisively with sanctions, law enforcement, and immigration reviews.
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The attack on Salman Rushdie shows the violent potential of these religious decrees.
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