Iranian Clerics Issue Statement Calling for Assassinations of Trump and Netanyahu

Members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 senior Islamic jurists responsible for appointing and overseeing the supreme leader, issued a statement on June 30, 2026, calling for the assassinations of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The 10-point declaration, signed by approximately 63 clerics, described the killings as a religious duty and labeled both leaders “mahdour al-dam,” an Islamic legal term indicating their blood is forfeit.

The statement framed the assassinations as paramount for avenging the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February 2026 during initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. It declared that anyone with the opportunity to carry out the killings “must not” neglect the duty, explicitly naming “the criminal American president” and “the wicked prime minister of the Zionist regime.” A state-run Iranian newspaper, Hamshahri, reinforced the message on June 30 with a front-page headline “Revenge Is Certain,” alongside reports of calls from senior clerics and lawmakers for retaliation.

The Assembly of Experts’ secretariat distanced itself from the statement despite the signatures, noting that Shiite Islamic tradition requires formal religious rulings, or fatwas, to come from individual clerics rather than collective bodies. The declaration stopped short of issuing a formal fatwa. Separate parliamentary proposals have emerged, including one offering a 50 million euro reward for killing Trump.

This development follows a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding signed earlier in June 2026, which established a 60-day framework for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the Strait of Hormuz after a period of direct conflict. The calls for assassinations come amid ongoing technical talks and a recent U.S.-Iranian agreement to stand down from further strikes following incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials have long accused Iran of plotting against Trump, including a 2024 federal case charging a Pakistani national with ties to Iran in a murder-for-hire scheme linked to retaliation for the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. The current statement escalates rhetoric from within Iran’s clerical establishment, which holds significant influence over the regime’s ideological direction.

The Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late supreme leader, as his successor following the February 2026 strikes. The clerics’ statement reflects hardline elements within the body pushing for aggressive responses, even as Iranian leadership engages in diplomatic channels. Critics view such declarations as evidence of the regime’s ongoing commitment to terrorism and instability rather than genuine negotiation.

These calls represent a direct threat to U.S. and allied leadership and underscore the challenges of dealing with a regime that mixes diplomatic overtures with incitement to violence. The United States has maintained sanctions and military posture to counter Iranian aggression, including support for proxy militias and nuclear ambitions. Any credible threat from Iranian officials triggers heightened security measures for American leaders.

The statement’s release during active talks highlights internal divisions in Tehran and the regime’s pattern of using religious rhetoric to mobilize hardliners. While the secretariat’s distancing provides limited cover, the broad clerical support signals deep-seated hostility toward the United States and Israel. The Trump administration has prioritized maximum pressure on Iran to prevent further attacks and force concessions on its nuclear program and regional activities.

Iranian authorities have not formally endorsed the clerics’ call as state policy, but the involvement of such a prominent institution amplifies its significance. Past Iranian plots against foreign officials demonstrate the regime’s willingness to pursue extraterritorial assassinations when opportunities arise. Continued vigilance by U.S. and allied intelligence services remains essential.

This episode illustrates the persistent danger posed by Iran’s theocratic leadership and the limits of diplomacy without credible deterrence. The calls for assassinations of sitting heads of state constitute incitement to terrorism and demand a firm international response to deter further escalation.