Iranian Clerics Issue Fatwa Against Trump and Netanyahu, Fundraising Efforts Surpass $20 Million

In a shocking development, two Iranian clerics have issued a fatwa calling for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, branding them as enemies of Islam. This has sparked a fundraising campaign that has raised over $20 million in a matter of days. The initiative has received support from other religious leaders, and a significant reward has been announced for anyone who can carry out the act. The Iranian president has distanced himself from these actions, emphasizing that they do not reflect the government's stance. This situation echoes the infamous 1989 fatwa against Salman Rushdie, highlighting the ongoing tensions in Iranian politics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 8, 2025, 13:52 IST

Fatwa Issued by Iranian Clerics

Recently, two radical clerics in Iran declared a fatwa calling for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling them as enemies of Islam. Following this announcement, a fundraising campaign was launched on the website THAAR.IR, which has successfully raised over $20 million, equivalent to more than 1.7 billion rupees, in just a few days.

Support from Other Religious Leaders

The initiative has garnered backing from approximately ten additional religious leaders. Furthermore, a cleric in Iran's West Azerbaijan province publicly announced a reward of 100 billion tomans, roughly $1.14 million, for anyone who brings Trump’s head. This declaration was made by an official from Iran's state Islamic propaganda agency.

Political Context Behind the Extremism

It has been reported that some of the clerics issuing the fatwas are closely associated with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They have referred to Trump and Netanyahu as 'mohreb,' or enemies of God, a term reminiscent of the language used in the 1989 fatwa against Salman Rushdie.

Iranian President Distances Himself

Iran's new president, Masoud Pagehskian, has distanced himself from the controversy. In a television interview in the U.S., he stated that these fatwas do not represent the government and have no connection to Iranian authority or Khamenei. According to him, the government has never issued any official orders against Trump.

Historical Echoes of 1989

This incident has drawn parallels to the events of 1989 when former Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini issued a death fatwa against British author Salman Rushdie. Despite living under constant security for years, Rushdie was attacked in the U.S. in 2022, resulting in the loss of one of his eyes.