Grand Ayatollah Nasir Makarim Shirazi, a leading Shia cleric in Iran, has issued a fatwa declaring Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu ‘enemies of God,’ urging the Muslim community to take firm action. This decree comes amidst rising tensions, with Grand Ayatollah Noori Hamdani issuing a parallel fatwa against those threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This is a result of growing concerns among Shia leaders about the threats against Khamenei.
Khamenei, who is currently in a secure bunker, has issued warnings to the US and Israel, threatening retaliation against American military bases if Iranian nuclear sites are attacked. He also called on the Iranian populace to celebrate the ‘victory’ over Israel. In response to these statements, Donald Trump called Khamenei ‘ungrateful’ and warned of harsher American actions if Iran pursued nuclear weapons, while also claiming that the US and Israel are aware of Khamenei’s location.
The developments come after a 12-day conflict, sparked by an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear bases. The conflict saw missile and drone attacks from both sides. The United States intervened by attacking Iranian nuclear centers, which led to a ceasefire through Qatar. Despite the ceasefire, the verbal sparring between Iran and the US remains intense.