TEHRAN – In response to escalating threats from US President Donald Trump and senior Israeli officials against the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Akbar Hosseini Haeri, a senior Marja and prominent religious authority based in Najaf, issued a Fatwa declaring that any assault on Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei would be considered as an attack on the entire Islamic world.
“The harm directed at the leadership is equivalent to an attack on the entire Islamic Umma,” Ayatollah Hoseinihali declared in a statement.
He condemned “intensifying US aggression” and “a wild violation of Iran’s sovereignty,” saying these actions represent not only a clear violation of international law, but also a declaration of war against Islam and human values.
“These attacks are not merely humiliation against the dignity of Muslim countries,” he said. “They are a direct war against Islam itself.”
Ayatollah Hosseini Haeri emphasized that Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei is not only a political figure, but also a spiritual symbol of resistance, unity and global Islamic leadership. He warned that attacks on him would trigger a critical response from the broader Muslim world.
“We should be aware of the US and the Zionist regime. The consequences of this reckless hostility are serious. Muslim Ummahs will never allow religious leaders to exhortate.”
On Sunday, Iranian religious authorities, including Ayatollah Nasar Makalem Siraj and Ayatollah Nouri Hadani, issued a firm statement denounced the threat to Iranian leaders as not only immoral but also religiously susceptible to punishment.
In response to questions about Trump’s recent rhetoric, Ayatollah Makarem Siraj issued what is called Fatwa and “people or government who harm leaders of the Islamic world are classified as Muhalib.”
Under Shiite jurisprudence, Muhalib (literally “war-doers”) is someone who causes violent rebellion, terrorism, or social disruption. The traditional punishment for Muharib is death.
This position was echoed by Ayatollah Nouri-Shaddy, but Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has also issued a religious ruling in favor of the holiness of Islamic leaders.
Ayatollah Alileza Alafi, director of Iran’s seminary network, also praised the position taken by Maraj (multiple Marjahs) and welcomed their firm attitude.
Ayatollah Tabasi, a senior member of the QOM Seminary Teachers’ Association, expressed strong recognition of Fatwas, issued by Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi and Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani, praised him as essential to protecting “the lofty stations of leaders and institutions of religious authority.”