Nicolai Haugsted
According to Iranian state-linked media, the proposal is being framed as retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
World leaders spent much of Monday trying to cool tensions in the Middle East. Iranian lawmakers, meanwhile, appeared determined to pour gasoline directly onto the fire.
According to Express, Politicians inside Tehran are now preparing to vote on a proposal that would place a multimillion-pound bounty on Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after weeks of escalating conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.
Assassination bounty under discussion
Iran’s parliament is reportedly considering legislation that would offer the equivalent of €50million, or roughly £43.5 million/$58.2 million to anyone responsible for killing either Trump or Netanyahu.
According to Iranian state-linked media, the proposal is being framed as retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the early stages of the war.
Ebrahim Azizi, who chairs Iran’s national security commission, publicly supported the proposal while discussing a draft bill focused on retaliatory military action.
“As Trump ordered the killing of Ali Khamenei, he himself should be dealt with by every Muslim and every free person,” Ebrahim Azizi reportedly wrote in comments carried by Iranian state television.
Another member of the same commission, Mahmood Nabavian, reportedly celebrated the planned parliamentary vote while speaking about sending both leaders “to hell.”
Tensions explode despite paused US strike
Discussion surrounding the proposed bounty emerged only hours after Trump abruptly halted what he described as a large-scale American military operation targeting Iran.
According to the US president, Gulf leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally urged him to avoid another escalation and instead continue nuclear negotiations with Tehran.
Trump later confirmed on social media that a planned attack had been suspended at the last moment while diplomatic discussions continued behind closed doors.
Washington has not publicly revealed operational details surrounding the alleged strike preparations.
Iran continues issuing threats
Iranian rhetoric has remained highly confrontational despite renewed diplomatic efforts.
Religious figures inside Iran had already issued fatwas targeting both Trump and Netanyahu before lawmakers formally began discussing the bounty proposal.
Threats intensified after fighting erupted earlier this year following joint American and Israeli strikes.
Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that future military action against Tehran would trigger severe retaliation across the region.
Trump has previously responded to Iranian assassination threats by warning that any attempt on his life would result in overwhelming American retaliation.
Nuclear negotiations still fragile
Behind the public threats, diplomatic negotiations appear to be continuing through multiple regional intermediaries.
Trump stated that “serious negotiations” are underway regarding Iran’s nuclear program and future security arrangements across the Middle East.
According to reports from Washington and Gulf sources, discussions now focus heavily on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons while also reducing the risk of another direct military confrontation.
Iran has reportedly demanded sanctions relief, unrestricted oil exports and guarantees against future attacks as part of broader negotiations.
Military tensions nevertheless remain high across the Gulf region as ceasefire arrangements continue hanging by a thread.
