Senior Iranian Cleric Issues 'Fatwa' Against Trump and Netanyahu
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, a senior Shia cleric in Iran, has issued a 'fatwa' (religious decree) declaring former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "enemies of God." The decree, a response to perceived threats against Iran's Supreme Leader, forbids any cooperation with them and calls on Muslims worldwide to make the leaders "regret their words." The move follows recent heightened military tensions and verbal sparring between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Unpacked:
Being labeled a 'mohareb'—someone who wages war against God—carries severe consequences in Iran, including potential execution, crucifixion, amputation, or exile under Iranian Sharia law. This designation is reserved for those perceived as significant threats to the Islamic leadership or religious authority.
Yes, Iranian clerics have previously issued controversial fatwas against foreign figures. The most notable was against author Salman Rushdie in 1989 over his novel 'The Satanic Verses,' which led to long-term threats against his life and a serious attack in 2022.
The fatwa followed recent heightened tensions, including US and Israeli military actions against Iran. Notably, Israel launched aerial attacks on Iran over nuclear concerns, and the US subsequently struck Iranian nuclear facilities, increasing hostilities and prompting the cleric’s response.
Fatwas are religious rulings and are not legally binding outside countries with Sharia-based legal systems like Iran. Their enforcement depends on local law and the influence of clerics. Internationally, they carry symbolic weight but no legal authority unless supported by specific governments.