Iran’s top Shia cleric issues fatwa against Trump and Netanyahu, calls them ‘enemies of God’

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a senior Shia authority in Iran, has issued a fatwa—a binding religious edict under Islamic law—declaring US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “enemies of God” and “mohareb,” or warlords. The decree was issued following questions about threats made to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameinei.

Under Iran’s penal code, being designated mohareb can carry severe penalties—including execution, crucifixion, amputation, or exile—depending on interpretation.

The fatwa commands Muslims worldwide to “make these enemies regret their words and mistakes” and explicitly warns that supporting them is haram (forbidden).

This declaration follows a recent 12‑day conflict in which Israeli and US airstrikes hit Iran’s nuclear facilities, and Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli positions.

Meanwhile, Trump claimed he had protected Khamenei from assassination and celebrated his role in Israel’s nuclear site strikes, which prompted sharp criticism from Tehran elsewhere.