Iran’s top cleric issues global ‘fatwa’ call to violence against Trump and Netanyahu

Published June 30, 2025 11:41am ET



Iran’s top Shiite cleric issued a religious decree called a fatwa on Sunday calling for violence against President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose nations targeted Iran’s nuclear capabilities this month.

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, who has ties to the Iranian regime, likened Trump and Netanyahu to “enemies of God” and advocated their destruction. The cleric also said Muslims around the world should unite in opposing any Western leaders who threaten to kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei or the country’s religious authorities.

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