A top Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, has called for the execution of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under Sharia law during a Friday sermon. The remarks, translated by Memri TV, accused the two leaders of orchestrating the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a former commander of Iran’s Quds Force. Khatami, a senior member of Iran’s Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts, reportedly stated, ‘You are murderers, and you need to be punished,’ during the event.
The cleric’s comments came amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, which escalated into a 12-day war following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. The conflict has drawn global attention, with U.S. President Trump expressing a desire to see the Gaza conflict resolve soon. In recent months, the U.S. and Iran have also experienced a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations, following a U.S. strike on three of Iran’s key nuclear sites. Iran has since responded with a series of sharp rebukes, accusing the U.S. of disrespect and threatening to demonstrate its ‘real capabilities’ in response.
Khatami’s remarks align with a broader pattern of rhetoric from Iran’s leadership, which has frequently condemned U.S. and Israeli actions in the region. Trump, who has previously criticized Iran’s nuclear program and its regional influence, has also warned of potential military retaliation against Iran if tensions continue. The cleric’s statements have further intensified the already volatile geopolitical situation, with both nations continuing to engage in a complex web of diplomatic and military posturing.
Amid these tensions, international observers are closely monitoring the potential for further escalation, as both Iran and the U.S. continue to navigate a complex and volatile geopolitical landscape. The situation remains precarious, with the possibility of renewed conflicts and heightened hostilities looming over the region.