An influential Iranian cleric has issued a chilling religious decree that is being interpreted as a veiled death threat against former U.S. President Donald Trump, following Trump’s recent comments targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The development, which has stirred global attention, came through Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a senior Islamic scholar based in the holy city of Qom and a leading authority in Iran’s powerful religious establishment.
According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Shirazi was responding to a specific query from a follower about Trump’s statement in which the former U.S. leader reportedly said:
“We are not going to take him out, at least not for now,” referring to Ayatollah Khamenei.
Shirazi, while not naming Trump directly, issued a stern fatwa declaring that threatening an Islamic government or its religious leader qualifies as Moharebeh a serious charge in Islamic law that translates to “enmity against God.” Under Iran’s interpretation of Sharia law, this offense carries the death penalty.
“Anyone who attacks or threatens the leadership of an Islamic state is considered a Mohareb and must face the most severe punishment death,” Shirazi declared.
“It is the duty of Muslims to confront such enemies. Those who carry out this duty are considered holy warriors and will be rewarded by God.”
