TEHRAN, Iran - In a significant escalation of tensions following the recent 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a prominent Iranian Shiite cleric, has issued a fatwa against U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, branding them as "enemies of God" and calling for their deaths [1][2].

The religious decree, released on June 30, 2025, effectively declares Trump and Netanyahu as "mohareb" - those who wage war against Allah - and states they "must be made to regret their words and actions" [3]. Under Iranian penal code, the punishment for mohareb can include "execution or crucifixion" or "amputation of the right hand and left foot or exile" [3].

The fatwa comes in the wake of a brief but intense conflict that saw involvement from Israel, Iran, and the United States. It urges Muslims worldwide to confront those who threaten the Islamic Ummah, with potential penalties including execution or exile [1][2].

Critics have swiftly condemned the decree, viewing it as a state-endorsed incitement to global terrorism [4]. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, concerned about the potential for further escalation in an already volatile region.

In a surprising twist, President Trump has claimed he saved Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from an "ugly death" during the conflict [5]. This assertion, yet to be independently verified, adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding diplomatic crisis.

The 12-Day War, which preceded this fatwa, saw Israel launch aerial attacks on Iran on June 13, claiming Iran was days away from developing a nuclear bomb. The United States joined the conflict days later, striking Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan with 14 30,000-pound 'bunker-busting' bombs [5].

As tensions continue to rise, the international community remains on high alert. The fatwa not only forbids Muslims from cooperating with or supporting Trump and Netanyahu but also suggests that any jihadist killed while opposing them would be considered a martyr [3].

The situation remains fluid, with potential far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations. As world leaders scramble to respond, the focus now turns to preventing further escalation and seeking diplomatic solutions to this complex crisis.