Iran has issued what appears to be an indirect death threat against U.S. President Donald Trump, following remarks made by a prominent cleric who stated that threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is considered a serious offense under Islamic law—punishable by death.
President Trump recently made comments about Khamenei, saying, “We are not going to take him out — at least not for now,” and described the Iranian leader as an easy target.
In response, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a senior cleric based in Qom, issued a religious ruling, though he did not mention Trump by name. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, a follower had specifically asked Shirazi about Trump’s remarks.
The cleric declared that anyone who attacks or threatens an Islamic government or its religious leadership is considered a Mohareb—an enemy of God—under Islamic law, a charge that carries the death penalty. He added that it is the duty of Muslims to bring such individuals to justice.
Shirazi also noted that under Islamic teachings, those who punish enemies of Islamic states and leaders are regarded as holy warriors and are promised divine reward.
