US urged to sanction Iranian clerics promoting Trump assassination
A recent report by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has shed light on the alarming trend of senior Iranian clerics and regime-controlled institutions issuing fatwas calling for the torture and assassination of President Donald Trump, American citizens, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These fatwas invoke the charge of mohareb, which mandates brutal punishments under Iran’s interpretation of Sharia law.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush, UANI’s chairman, and Ambassador Mark Wallace, its CEO, have called for the U.S. government to impose sanctions on these individuals and entities, urging for them to be designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. The report identifies 11 individuals and two regime-aligned entities that have not faced sanctions under U.S. counterterrorism laws.
One of the top targets is Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi, known as the “Sultan of Sugar” for his dominance in Iran’s sugar trade. Makarem-Shirazi has called for the execution of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, advocating for torture before death. Another cleric, Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani, has issued threats against the Jewish community and targeted Trump and Netanyahu in fatwas.
Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, the supreme leader’s former representative to the UK, has also threatened the lives of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, declaring them as targets for all Muslims. Alireza Panahian, tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has promoted extremist ideology and advocated for terrorist attacks on U.S.-led forces in the Middle East.
The report also calls for sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and the Qom Seminary, both of which have promoted and endorsed the fatwas calling for violence against Trump and Netanyahu. IRIB aired programming soliciting donations for the assassination of President Trump, while the Qom Seminary’s faculty and students have pledged to implement the decree.
The implications of these fatwas are concerning, as they have the potential to incite real-world violence, as seen in the case of Salman Rushdie. UANI is urging for swift action to be taken against these individuals and entities to prevent any harm to President Trump and other targets. The organization emphasizes the need for sanctions, law enforcement action, and immigration reviews to address these threats.
In conclusion, the UANI report highlights the dangerous rhetoric coming from senior Iranian clerics and regime-controlled institutions, calling for violence against world leaders. It is imperative for the U.S. government to take action to protect its citizens and allies from these threats and ensure that those responsible face consequences for their incitements to terrorism.
