Iranian Review for UN Studies

Iranian Review for UN Studies

Physical removal of the symbol of sovereignty; a comparative study of the threat of the Supreme Leader in the balance of international law and Imamiyya jurisprudence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD student at Kharazmi University, Tehran, .Iran
2 Associate Professor, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
10.22034/iruns.2026.557531.1199
Abstract
The threat to assassinate the Supreme Leader, as the highest symbol of sovereignty in the Islamic Republic of Iran, is not merely a political or media maneuver, but rather a complex and multifaceted challenge in the realms of jurisprudence, public international law, and political ethics. The explicit threat made by Donald Trump, then-President of the United States, to assassinate the Supreme Leader of Iran, constitutes a clear violation of fundamental principles of international law—including the personal immunity of heads of state and the prohibition of the use of force. It may be regarded as a flagrant example of state terrorism, a breach of national sovereignty, and an act of aggression against the religious-political legitimacy of the Islamic Republic.Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this article first explores the legal dimensions of such a threat in light of states' obligations under the UN Charter, diplomatic law, and the international responsibility of natural and legal persons. It then offers a jurisprudential analysis, showing that despite the absence of a specific designation in classical Islamic legal texts, such a threat can be interpreted and criminalized under concepts such as the sanctity of the life of a believer, corruption on earth (ifsād fi-l-arḍ), rebellion (baghy), and disruption of the order of the Islamic community. From an ethical perspective, this act also reflects the collapse of Western political morality and poses a threat to the foundations of collective security and a just global order.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 July 2026