Iran blasts Donald Trump as 'enemy of God' and issues fatwa with chilling punishments
Iran's top cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, has branded Donald Trump an 'enemy of God'
Iran has labeled Donald Trump as an "enemy of God" and called on Muslims to make him "regret his actions," sparking concerns about potential additional assassination attempts against the US President. The call to action was made in a religious edict known as a fatwa by Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Iran's leading religious cleric.
The fatwa was also issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the Tehran Times. In a written statement, Ayatollah Shirazi stated: "Any regime or individual threatening the leaders of the Islamic Ummah and acting on those threats qualifies as a Muharib."
In Shia Islamic law, a "Muharib" is defined as someone who instigates armed rebellion, terrorism, or violent crimes that cause fear and disorder in society. The prescribed punishment for such offenses is death by execution and even crucifixion. British author Salman Rushdie had a fatwa placed on him following the publication of his novel "The Satanic Verses" in 1988, which was considered offensive to Muslims and blasphemous. The move comes as fears have swirled around President Trump's health.
Since then, the author has survived several assassination attempts, including a knife attack in upstate New York in 2023, during which he lost an eye. This religious decree follows the "12-Day War", during which Israeli and US bombers targeted nuclear and military facilities across Iran.
In a dramatic offensive, the US Army hit Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan with 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles, delivering extensive damage.
President Trump has asserted that this action "obliterated" the facilities, significantly impeding Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities.
However, initial findings from US intelligence indicate that Iran's nuclear progress may have only been delayed by a matter of months as a result of the strikes.
Adding to the challenges facing the administration, intercepted communications reveal Iranian officials downplaying the severity of the attacks, suggesting they were less catastrophic than anticipated. Reports from the Washington Post have disclosed that these officials can be heard on intercepted calls pondering over the unexpectedly mild impact of the bombardment.
Contrarily, President Trump has rejected any insinuation that his administration is engaging in negotiations with Iran concerning financial aid of up to US$30 billion for their civilian nuclear energy initiatives. President Trump confirmed: "I'm not talking to Iran. We're not offering them anything," firmly stating this position on Monday.
