Senior Iranian Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi Issues Jihad Declaration Against US and Israel

Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, one of Iran's most senior Grand Ayatollahs, issued a formal declaration of jihad (holy war) against the United States and Israel on March 1, as reported by Iran's Tasnim news agency. Shirazi called it the 'religious duty of Muslims around the world' to avenge the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei in the US-Israeli strikes, expressing confidence that the global Muslim community would take decisive action. The declaration adds a significant religious dimension to Iran's official vow of retaliation and could be interpreted as a call to action for Iran-aligned militia groups across the region.