Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Conflict in the Middle East
Original poster

Iranian clerics call for assassination of Trump and Netanyahu

237 replies

Twiglets1 · 30/06/2026 20:42

Article in The Telegraph reports that Iran’s most senior clerics have called for the assassination of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a 10-point statement, the Assembly of Experts said the killing of “the criminal American president” and “the wicked prime minister of the Zionist regime” was a religious duty.

Assassinating the two leaders – whom they described as mahdour al-dam, or deserving of death – “must not be neglected under any circumstances”.

In their call for Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu to be assassinated, the clerics wrote that avenging the blood of Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader who was killed on the first day of the war, remained “paramount”.

“It is obligatory upon any duty-bound person who gains access to these criminals to send them to hell,” they added.

The language read like a religious edict but stopped short of a formal fatwa, which in Shia Islam is issued by an individual cleric in his own name rather than by a group.

The Assembly of Experts is an 88-member body of clerics constitutionally tasked with choosing and supervising the supreme leader.

The statement shows how fractured the establishment has become.

Only about 63 of the body’s members signed it, and the Assembly’s secretariat distanced itself hours later.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/30/iranian-clerics-call-for-trump-assassination/

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
TooBigForMyBoots · 01/07/2026 15:54

MissyB1 · 01/07/2026 14:02

Ok so just to clarify, if Trump or Netanyahu threaten to kill a world leader (or actually do kill them), that’s all fine and we shouldn’t take it too seriously. But if Iran threatens to kill Trump and Netanyahu that’s EVIL!!
Errmmm… am I missing something here?

No you're not missing anything. Trump and Netenyahu assassinated Iraq's leaders and followed it up with dropping bombs on innocent Iraqis. Apparently, actually bombing schools, hospitals and civilians is OK by the Mnetters currently having coniptions about what these clerics are saying.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:39

Katiesaidthat · 01/07/2026 15:33

I´m not into assassinations. But if the Iranian clerics, Trump, Putin and Netanyahu all dropped dead rigt now, I can assure you no tears would roll down my cheeks.
You seem surprised that the Iranian clerics have decided this, as the CIA has been executing/eliminating/unaliving foreign leaders since forever.

No tears would roll down for my cheeks for any world leader I don't think.

But yes, I do think it's wrong that religious clerics are calling for assassinations.

They aren't military men or involved in the peace talks, which they are potentially harming. A strange time to up the tempo which suggests they (like Katz) don't want peace.

OP posts:
Katiesaidthat · 01/07/2026 15:33

I´m not into assassinations. But if the Iranian clerics, Trump, Putin and Netanyahu all dropped dead rigt now, I can assure you no tears would roll down my cheeks.
You seem surprised that the Iranian clerics have decided this, as the CIA has been executing/eliminating/unaliving foreign leaders since forever.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:33

Secretseverywhere · 01/07/2026 15:27

Maybe I’m psychic?

Or just a realist. If Iran/ Islamic republic could kill Netanyahu he’d be dead already no religious declarations required. Maybe another Matar will be radicalised and act on such a statement but I find it unlikely.

Trump is such a divisive figure I do wonder if this is part of an ongoing propaganda campaign for those that lack critical thinking skills. Don’t like Trump then support us. It’s presented as a binary choice but it’s not you can dislike Trump and the Iranian regime.

Show quote history

Or maybe wrong? That's possible too.

Trump has survived assassination attempts before but that doesn't mean he would necessarily survive a future one.

Now I know most people wouldn't cry about that but still ... I don't agree with you that there is no way this is going to be carried out.

The Iranian clerics are presumably very highly respected in Iran amongst those of the same religion.

OP posts:
Carouseloflife · 01/07/2026 15:32

Killing is wrong.

RedTagAlan · 01/07/2026 15:31

StopMeIfYouHaveHeard · 01/07/2026 15:11

If you mean Netanyahu starting a war with Hamas in Gaza then that was not done for religious reasons but as a response to their violent attack on Israeli civilians on 7/10/23.

Well, honestly, if you are trying to suggest

  1. that Netanyahu is the only Israeli inciting others to murder Palestinians

and

  1. that Israel’s attacks on the Palestinians only began on/after/ in response to 7/10/23

there’s not really much point hoping for good faith discussion, is there?

Well, Netanyahu is well known for putting a lot of religion into his speeches. He does it often.

All that Amalek stuff. He often makes out he is fighting a religious war. GW Bush was the same with Iraq. Gog and Magog if I recall.

In fact, a large part of US support for Israel is because of US evangelicals who want the 2nd Temple rebuilt to bring about the end days and the Return of Jesus. Religion is riddled through it all.

Secretseverywhere · 01/07/2026 15:27

Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 14:50

How do you know there is no way this is going to be carried out? Obviously both men have extremely tight security but nevertheless, it was a general call for anyone who supports the Iranian clerics to do their religious duty in trying to get close enough to them to kill them.

In their call for Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu to be assassinated, the clerics wrote that avenging the blood of Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader who was killed on the first day of the war, remained “paramount”.

“It is obligatory upon any duty-bound person who gains access to these criminals to send them to hell,” they added.

Show quote history

Maybe I’m psychic?

Or just a realist. If Iran/ Islamic republic could kill Netanyahu he’d be dead already no religious declarations required. Maybe another Matar will be radicalised and act on such a statement but I find it unlikely.

Trump is such a divisive figure I do wonder if this is part of an ongoing propaganda campaign for those that lack critical thinking skills. Don’t like Trump then support us. It’s presented as a binary choice but it’s not you can dislike Trump and the Iranian regime.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:26

JadeHare · 01/07/2026 15:20

There’s no point in a new thread. Katz also threatened Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he was marked for death. Both sides are as bad as each other.

Show quote history

Yes you already mentioned that and no, Katz shouldn't have made a death threat against Khamenei.

Especially during negotiations for peace, as I said about the Iranian clerics. At least Katz isn't pretending it's a religious duty, though.

OP posts:
JadeHare · 01/07/2026 15:20

Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:17

They do both need to button it to keep the peace talks on track, yes.

You're welcome to start a thread on what Katz said and I will join it and agree that his comments are not helpful to peace.

Show quote history

There’s no point in a new thread. Katz also threatened Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he was marked for death. Both sides are as bad as each other.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:17

JadeHare · 01/07/2026 15:16

Then both Israel and Iran need to button it don’t they? In order to keep the peace talks on track. There should be equal outrage for what both sides have said.

They do both need to button it to keep the peace talks on track, yes.

You're welcome to start a thread on what Katz said and I will join it and agree that his comments are not helpful to peace.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:16

StopMeIfYouHaveHeard · 01/07/2026 15:11

If you mean Netanyahu starting a war with Hamas in Gaza then that was not done for religious reasons but as a response to their violent attack on Israeli civilians on 7/10/23.

Well, honestly, if you are trying to suggest

  1. that Netanyahu is the only Israeli inciting others to murder Palestinians

and

  1. that Israel’s attacks on the Palestinians only began on/after/ in response to 7/10/23

there’s not really much point hoping for good faith discussion, is there?

Who did you mean when you said Is this wrong when Israelis do it?

Be more specific what you mean and I will try to answer in good faith but that question was hopelessly vague.

OP posts:
JadeHare · 01/07/2026 15:16

Then both Israel and Iran need to button it don’t they? In order to keep the peace talks on track. There should be equal outrage for what both sides have said.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:13

JadeHare · 01/07/2026 15:04

But religion has always caused wars. Throughout history. The crusaders weren’t sent off to make friends. They were sent to recapture the Holy Lands from those pesky Muslims. Religion causes wars. It was ever thus.

Religion causes wars, yes. Just one reason I'm glad to be an atheist.

That's no reason not to criticise the Iranian clerics though for dressing up their desire for revenge on Trump and Netanyahu as a "religious duty".

Best to keep religion out of politics or if you're going to get involved - like the Pope - at least advocate for peace. Especially during a sensitive point in the potential peace process. Not exactly helpful to that is it?

OP posts:
StopMeIfYouHaveHeard · 01/07/2026 15:11

If you mean Netanyahu starting a war with Hamas in Gaza then that was not done for religious reasons but as a response to their violent attack on Israeli civilians on 7/10/23.

Well, honestly, if you are trying to suggest

  1. that Netanyahu is the only Israeli inciting others to murder Palestinians

and

  1. that Israel’s attacks on the Palestinians only began on/after/ in response to 7/10/23

there’s not really much point hoping for good faith discussion, is there?

RedTagAlan · 01/07/2026 15:08

JadeHare · 01/07/2026 15:04

But religion has always caused wars. Throughout history. The crusaders weren’t sent off to make friends. They were sent to recapture the Holy Lands from those pesky Muslims. Religion causes wars. It was ever thus.

I was trying to think earlier of wars that did not include a religious element, and there are not that many.

In fact, I am reading a series of articles on Scottish history just now, and what a bloodthirsty lot. Pretty much religion in it all the way.

JadeHare · 01/07/2026 15:04

But religion has always caused wars. Throughout history. The crusaders weren’t sent off to make friends. They were sent to recapture the Holy Lands from those pesky Muslims. Religion causes wars. It was ever thus.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 15:00

StopMeIfYouHaveHeard · 01/07/2026 14:51

What you appear to be missing is that it is pretty evil yes to use religion as an excuse to incite others to commit murder. In my opinion anyway.

Yes, and add ethnicity to religion, I would say.

Is this wrong when Israelis do it @Twiglets1

It's wrong when anyone uses religion as an excuse to incite others to commit murder.

I don't know exactly who you are referring to when you say "Israelis". If you mean Netanyahu starting a war with Hamas in Gaza then that was not done for religious reasons but as a response to their violent attack on Israeli civilians on 7/10/23.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 14:57

CagedBirdInACage · 01/07/2026 13:07

Blowing up apartments full of sleeping families because 1 low ranking member of Hamas might be in the vicinity - fine, what else are they supposed to do, Israel has the right to defend themselves.

Call for the deaths of the leaders responsible for the death of their leader - how very dare they!!!

Either you are pro violence and assinations or you aren't. And a heck of a lot of posters here have cheered on assinations with scores of innocent lives being lost in the process(collateral damage anyone?) but then are shocked when Iran want to do the same thing to the people who threaten their country with total destruction?

Let's just hope that Trump or Netanyahu don't go anywhere with lots of people around them(or human shields as they are commonly known on this board) or there could be a lot more 'collateral damage' to come.

Show quote history

Who are the posters who have supposedly "cheered on assinations with scores of innocent lives being lost in the process"? I haven't seen any posts where people are celebrating civilian deaths.

No one has cheered them on. Using the phrase collateral damage in war does not mean that the deaths are cheered on.

There is collateral damage in any war including wars where the UK lost lots of lives (or caused the deaths of lots of lives). That doesn't mean the deaths were cheered on. It's more that civilian deaths are an inevitable part of wars, not that they are a part anyone wants to see.

OP posts:
StopMeIfYouHaveHeard · 01/07/2026 14:51

What you appear to be missing is that it is pretty evil yes to use religion as an excuse to incite others to commit murder. In my opinion anyway.

Yes, and add ethnicity to religion, I would say.

Is this wrong when Israelis do it @Twiglets1

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 14:50

Secretseverywhere · 01/07/2026 10:59

I think people shrug because there is no way this is going to be carried out ( apart from in an AI generated Lego video). Also because it feels like there are no good guys involved, the Iranian regime are tyrannical and murder their own people to force conformity, Netanyahu is responsible for the ongoing genocide of the Gazan people, Trump is well Trump enough said there really.

Whilst I don’t wish anyone dead, if the Iranians were to enforce “regime change” on the U.S. and kidnap Trump. They could have a photo shoot of him in the back seat a la Manduro. Sadly that would lead to Vance 😱

How do you know there is no way this is going to be carried out? Obviously both men have extremely tight security but nevertheless, it was a general call for anyone who supports the Iranian clerics to do their religious duty in trying to get close enough to them to kill them.

In their call for Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu to be assassinated, the clerics wrote that avenging the blood of Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader who was killed on the first day of the war, remained “paramount”.

“It is obligatory upon any duty-bound person who gains access to these criminals to send them to hell,” they added.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 14:46

JadeHare · 01/07/2026 10:44

And I think it fell short of actually being a fatwa. This time.

It only fell short of being a fatwa because it was said by a group. The Telegraph explain that, The language read like a religious edict but stopped short of a formal fatwa, which in Shia Islam is issued by an individual cleric in his own name rather than by a group.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 14:40

JadeHare · 01/07/2026 14:32

Only if we can criticise Israel Katz for basically saying the same thing.

Of course Katz can be strongly criticised too. He often is criticised on this board and holds extremist views that I doubt many on MN (including myself) would support.

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 14:38

MissyB1 · 01/07/2026 14:02

Ok so just to clarify, if Trump or Netanyahu threaten to kill a world leader (or actually do kill them), that’s all fine and we shouldn’t take it too seriously. But if Iran threatens to kill Trump and Netanyahu that’s EVIL!!
Errmmm… am I missing something here?

I was responding specifically to a poster pointing out Trump's rhetoric that “a whole civilisation will die tonight.”

No we don't need to take that seriously because it didn't happen and Trump does make a huge amount of idle threats so we know.

Iran has threatened to destroy the US and Israel too. But this thread isn't about those generic threats, it's more about the call the Iranian clerics made for the assassination of Trump and Netanyahu as a religious duty.

What you appear to be missing is that it is pretty evil yes to use religion as an excuse to incite others to commit murder. In my opinion anyway.

OP posts:
JadeHare · 01/07/2026 14:32

Only if we can criticise Israel Katz for basically saying the same thing.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 01/07/2026 14:30

WhatAMarvelousTune · 01/07/2026 11:21

I’m not sure it’s good enough to say “it’s doesn’t matter what Trump says because we don’t take it seriously” while also condemning what others have said. Trump is the one who has killed the leader of a foreign country and said a civilisation will die. He is not morally superior.

I don’t think what the clerics have said is acceptable. I also do not think what Trump says is acceptable.

Show quote history

No Trump isn't morally superior and I never said he was.

Can agree that what they have both said is unacceptable but this thread is about the Iranian clerics. Plenty of other threads on MN about the outrageous things Trump has said and done.

Any reason the Iranian clerics shouldn't be criticised too for telling people to kill?

OP posts: