Following the June 21 U.S. strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, a prominent Iranian cleric has issued a fatwa (Islamic religious ruling) which is being interpreted by some as calling for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUDI), a non-profit advocacy group promoting secular democracy and human rights in Iran, translated the edict, issued by Shi’ite Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi. The fatwa, dated Saturday and published by Islamic Republic state media the following day, was issued in response to a formal religious query (estefta) that NUDI also released.

The estefta states:

“Over the past few days, U.S. President [Donald Trump] and leaders of the Zionist regime have threatened to assassinate the Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] and other religious leaders. We implore you to declare what the religious edict [and required response] is for threatening the religious guide and leader of Islamic society. And Allah forbid, if such an act is carried out by the American government or anyone else, what would be the responsibility of every Muslim across the world?”

In response, the fatwa declared Trump a “Mohareb” (enemy of Allah), stating:

“It is upon all Muslims across the world to make these enemies regret their words and wrongdoing. If harm or hardship befalls them, they will be rewarded as Mojaeh [warriors] in the path of Allah, if Allah wills it.”

NUDI’s media advisory described this passage as an explicit call for Muslims to murder Trump, citing the Koran, Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayat 33 (5:33):

“The penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread corruption on the Earth is death, crucifixion, cutting off their hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile from the land. This [penalty] is a disgrace for them in this world, and they will suffer a tremendous punishment in the Hereafter.”

The advisory also referenced Article 279 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, which states that the offense of moharebeh is punishable by death—a charge frequently applied to political dissidents.

NUDI further noted that this fatwa is similar to the 1989 edict against Salman Rushdie, issued by the Islamic Republic’s first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in reaction to Rushdie’s novel “The Satanic Verses.” That fatwa remains in effect. On Aug. 12, 2022, Rushdie was repeatedly stabbed during a lecture in New York, resulting in the loss of sight in one eye and severe injuries; Hadi Matar was later convicted of attempted murder for the attack.

Rubio condemns Iranian threats against IAEA chief

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday strongly denounced calls from the Islamic Republic for the detention and execution of Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following last week’s U.S. strikes on the nuclear facilities at Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow.

“Calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Director General Grossi are unacceptable and should be condemned,” Rubio wrote on X. “We support the IAEA’s critical verification and monitoring efforts in Iran and commend the Director General and the IAEA for their dedication and professionalism. We call on Iran to provide for the safety and security of IAEA personnel.”

Ali Larijani, a former brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, chief nuclear negotiator and speaker of the Iranian parliament, wrote in Farsi on X last week: “When the war is over, we will settle accounts with Grossi.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned Iran on Saturday for the threats against Grossi, stating:

“It would have been unbelievable if it weren’t about Iran. Now they’re openly threatening the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. A mafia state!” Sa’ar wrote on X.

Still seeking revenge for Soleimani killing

An April article in the Tehran-based, Islamist revolutionary daily Kayhan claimed that Trump “made a big mistake” and that “a few bullets will be fired into his empty head” in revenge for authorizing the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad during Trump’s first term.

According to Fox News Digital, the article was published days after Trump said he would launch attacks on Iran unless the regime ended its nuclear weapons program and began talks on a new deal. Trump stated at the time:

“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. But there’s a chance that if they don’t make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago.”

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