Iran Issues Indirect Death Threat Against Trump

Iran has issued what appears to be an indirect death threat against U.S. President Donald Trump, following comments by an influential Iranian cleric. Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a prominent figure based in Qom, stated in a religious ruling that threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or other religious leaders is considered a grave sin in Islam, punishable by death.

The statement came nearly two weeks after Trump said Khamenei was an “easy target” and added that the U.S. was “not going to take him out, at least not for now,” during remarks to reporters. Though Makarem Shirazi did not name Trump directly, his declaration, reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, was made in response to a question specifically about Trump.

According to Makarem Shirazi, individuals or regimes that threaten or attack an Islamic government or its religious leaders are considered “Mohareb,” meaning enemies of God. Under Islamic law, such acts can carry the death penalty, and Muslims have a duty to confront those enemies.

While the cleric did not explicitly call for Trump’s assassination, he underscored Islamic principles that define those who defend religious leaders against threats as holy warriors assured of God’s blessing.