Iran’s Assembly of Experts issued a religious decree calling for the deaths of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking an escalation in rhetoric from Tehran’s leadership.
The 88-member Assembly of Experts, a body constitutionally responsible for selecting and overseeing Iran’s supreme leader, released a 10-point statement declaring the two leaders “deserving of death” under Islamic law. The clerics framed the call as a religious obligation that must be executed “under any circumstances,” according to the statement.
The Religious Decree
The Assembly of Experts used the Arabic term “mahdour al-dam” to describe Trump and Netanyahu, a phrase signifying those deserving death under Islamic jurisprudence. The statement connected the assassination call to avenging Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing it as a matter of “paramount” importance.
Iranian state media amplified the message, with the newspaper Hamshahri publishing a front-page image of Trump’s face positioned in a rifle scope’s crosshairs. The accompanying headline declared “Revenge is certain,” underscoring the hardline faction’s aggressive posture.
Security Implications
U.S. security officials have emphasized the distinction between Iran’s historical rhetorical threats and potential state-sponsored attacks. A coordinated operation by Iranian operatives would differ significantly from previous amateur attempts, involving trained personnel, sophisticated equipment, and likely multiple operatives working as an organized team.
Current U.S. immigration data indicates between 20,000 and 30,000 Iranian nationals are present in the country illegally. Security analysts have raised concerns about the potential overlap between this population and any possible state-sponsored operation.
Broader Context
The declaration comes as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues military operations in the Strait of Hormuz and conducts attacks on neighboring nations. Simultaneously, Iran’s civil government has maintained ongoing diplomatic discussions regarding a potential peace agreement, reflecting internal divisions within Tehran’s leadership structure.
