Tehran: Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Iran’s leading Shiite cleric, has issued a fatwa condemning U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “enemies of God,” calling upon Muslims globally to take decisive action against them. In his decree, Makarem emphasized that any individual or regime that poses a threat to the Leader or Marja is deemed a “warlord” or “mohareb,” a term referring to those who wage war against God. Under Iranian law, individuals classified as mohareb face severe penalties, including execution, crucifixion, amputation, or exile, as reported by Fox News. The cleric further declared that any form of cooperation or support for these adversaries by Muslims or Islamic nations is considered haram, or forbidden, urging all Muslims to make these foes regret their actions. He reassured that those who endure hardship in their religious duties would be rewarded as fighters in the path of God, concluding with a prayer for protection against these “enemies” and for the swift return of the Mahdi, a significant figure in Shiite belief.
The fatwa comes in the wake of a 12-day conflict that erupted on June 13, when Israel initiated a bombing campaign targeting Iranian sites associated with its nuclear program, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on Israeli cities, further heightening regional tensions. Israel defended its military actions, asserting that the strikes aimed to thwart Iran’s potential development of nuclear weapons, a claim that Tehran has consistently refuted, insisting that its nuclear endeavors are intended solely for peaceful purposes. The situation escalated further when the United States joined Israel in executing coordinated strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to retaliate by targeting a U.S. military base in Qatar, marking a significant intensification of hostilities in the region.
