Iran’s Media and Muslim Scholars Respond to U.S. and Israel
Iran’s state media has been highlighting letters from “a group of 100 Muslim scholars and intellectuals.” These leaders have criticized President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, labeling them as “enemies of God.” They’ve cautioned against any cooperation or normalizing relations with the U.S. or Israel, deeming it haram.
This recent report described Trump as a “young and attractive man,” following the advancing normalization efforts between the U.S. and Syria under President Ahmed Alshara. The report notes that Sharaa might even consider normalizing ties with Israel as part of Trump’s Abraham Accord—a prospect that seemed impossible under Bashar Assad, an Iranian-supported leader that Sharaa managed to defeat.
Furthermore, some reports have indicated that Mauritania may also be thinking about establishing relations with Israel. Iran’s position is increasingly precarious, having suffered a significant loss in its conflict with Israel in June. The country has dismissed calls for dialogue, instead ramping up its hostile rhetoric against both the U.S. and Israel.
Iran’s national media outlet, Presstv, recently celebrated the sentiments expressed by the 100 Muslim scholars who have reportedly condemned Trump and Netanyahu as anti-jihadist figures, while professing unwavering support for Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In the letters, these scholars have referenced Quranic verses, denouncing Trump, Netanyahu, and other Israeli leaders as “corruptors of God.” They have categorized any forms of compromise or cooperation with what they call the “illegal Zionist occupation regime” as religiously forbidden.
The tone of the letters seems to endure a focus on the Islamic world, particularly amid warm receptions extended by Western nations like the U.S. and Australia, along with some Middle Eastern countries.
Notably, the letter declared Iran’s experience during a recent 12-day conflict as a “decisive and comprehensive victory.” This conflict began on June 13 when Netanyahu initiated “Operation Lion,” shortly after the International Atomic Energy Agency condemned Iran’s uranium enrichment violations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Israeli actions reportedly took out several of Iran’s key military strategists and nuclear scientists.
On June 21, President Trump ordered bombings of crucial Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming they were “completely wiped out” and helped broker a ceasefire that paused hostilities shortly thereafter.
The Iranian regime, however, labeled the war a victory and has continued its nuclear pursuits amidst ongoing rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians. Several figures from the administration have expressed their frustrations directed at Trump, especially regarding the airstrike that killed former Qasem Soleimani, a key Iranian military leader.
“You’re a murderer, and you need to be punished,” one speaker addressed the crowd, asserting that the rulings against Trump and Netanyahu are valid under Sharia.
Additionally, Grand Ayatollah Nasar Makalem Siraj issued a fatwa declaring those opposing God, including Trump and Netanyahu, as deserving of retribution from all Muslims worldwide. He emphasized that failing to punish these figures would undermine the principles of jihad’s retribution.
The calls for vengeance against Trump have escalated, particularly since U.S. military actions against Soleimani. Trump justified the operation as necessary, citing Soleimani’s involvement in the deaths and injuries of numerous Americans.
During Soleimani’s funeral, Iranian authorities sought to raise $80 million as a bounty to kill Trump, requesting contributions from 80 million Muslims. An Iranian court also announced intentions to demand nearly $50 billion in compensation from former American officials for Soleimani’s assassination.
