Iran’s $40 Million Bounty on Trump Explained

The Origins of the Bounty

In July 2025, a shocking campaign emerged from Iran: a $40 million bounty was publicly placed on former U.S. President Donald Trump. This unprecedented move is rooted in escalating tensions following recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities—actions reportedly authorized by Trump. The campaign was organized by a group calling itself Blood Covenant (sometimes referred to as “Blood Pact”), which has direct links to former employees of Iran’s state-run propaganda network.

The Fatwa and Religious Backing

The bounty is more than just a financial reward. It is underpinned by a fatwa—a religious edict—issued by several prominent Iranian clerics. These clerics labeled Trump an “enemy of Allah” and declared that his killing would be a religious duty for Muslims. The campaign’s website, thaar.ir, displays Quranic verses and promises not only the cash reward but also spiritual benefits, such as entry to paradise and the title of “defender of Islam,” to anyone who carries out the act.

How the Fundraising Works

• Crowdfunding Platform: The campaign is run through an Iranian website, thaar.ir, which claims to have raised over $40 million for the bounty. The site features images of Trump in crosshairs and calls for “retribution against those who mock and threaten the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei”.
• Religious Messaging: The platform invokes religious language, urging believers to “strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah,” making the campaign a call to jihad.
• Broad Support: Analysts note that this campaign reflects a wide consensus among Iranian religious and governmental authorities, with the message amplified across Iranian media and society.

Key Figures and Organizations

• Hossein Abbasifar: Investigations have identified Hossein Abbasifar, a former employee of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), as a key figure behind the campaign. Metadata from the website links him to the project, potentially exposing him to international sanctions.
• Blood Covenant: The group organizing the campaign operates “under the aegis of the Iranian regime,” according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), suggesting at least tacit approval from powerful factions within Iran.

Government Response and Denials

While the campaign has been widely promoted in Iranian media and by clerics, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly distanced his government from the bounty and the fatwas, stating that such religious decrees have “nothing to do with the Iranian government or the Supreme Leader.” However, state-affiliated media and hardline clerics continue to endorse the campaign, emphasizing the religious justification for targeting Trump.

U.S. and International Reaction

• Security Concerns: U.S. authorities remain on high alert, given Iran’s history of plotting attacks on American leaders. The State Department has indicated it is using all available tools, including sanctions, to hold those responsible accountable4.
• Trump’s Response: Trump himself has publicly downplayed the threats, responding with characteristic humor when asked about warnings that he could be targeted by a drone while at his Mar-a-Lago estate89.

The Bigger Picture

The $40 million bounty on Trump is a stark reminder of the enduring animosity between the U.S. and Iran, especially in the wake of military escalations and the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The campaign is notable for:

• Its scale and publicity, leveraging modern crowdfunding techniques.
• The fusion of religious and political motives, making the threat both ideological and material.
• The potential for escalation, as hardline elements within Iran continue to push for retribution.

Conclusion

Iran’s $40 million bounty on Donald Trump is a chilling development at the intersection of geopolitics, religion, and digital mobilization. While the actual funds raised remain difficult to independently verify, the campaign’s existence—and the broad support it appears to enjoy among certain Iranian factions—underscores the volatility of U.S.-Iran relations and the enduring risks faced by high-profile political figures.