Iran’s Assembly of Experts has issued a statement calling for the deaths of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring the killings a religious duty.
The 88-member Assembly of Experts, constitutionally responsible for selecting and overseeing Iran’s supreme leader, released a 10-point statement describing the leaders as “deserving of death.” The clerics characterized killing “the wicked prime minister of the Zionist regime” and “the criminal American president” as a religious obligation that must be fulfilled “under any circumstances.”
The statement emerged amid escalating rhetoric between Iran and Western leaders. Iranian newspaper Hamshahri published a front-page image of Trump’s face in a rifle scope’s crosshairs, accompanied by the headline “Revenge is certain.”
Rising Security Concerns
U.S. and Israeli security officials are treating the threats as credible following previous assassination attempts against Trump. The Secret Service and Netanyahu’s security detail have heightened protective measures in response to the escalating rhetoric.
Intelligence assessments indicate Iran possesses trained operatives and significant resources that would distinguish any potential state-sponsored attack from previous amateur attempts. Security experts have flagged concerns about the possible presence of hostile actors within U.S. territory.
International Response
The statement represents an unusual public escalation of longstanding tensions between Iran and the United States. Diplomatic channels remain strained following years of contested nuclear negotiations and regional military incidents.
Officials in Washington and Jerusalem are coordinating security responses and monitoring Iranian activity across multiple intelligence channels. The situation remains fluid as both nations assess the credibility and intent behind the public statements.
This story has been updated. CNN’s international security team contributed to this report.
