DUBAI (Web Desk) – Iran’s judiciary chief has indicated that fast-track trials and executions may soon begin for people arrested during nationwide protests, sending shockwaves across the country and beyond, despite strong warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Read also: Unrest in Iran kills at least 2,000 activists say
Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, head of Iran’s judiciary, said authorities must act “quickly” against detainees, stressing that delayed punishment would lose its impact. His remarks, aired on state television, came as human rights activists warned that executions could happen at any moment.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,571 people have been killed so far in the ongoing crackdown. Of them, 2,403 were protesters, while 147 were government-linked personnel. The dead include 12 children and nine civilians who were not involved in demonstrations. More than 18,100 people have reportedly been detained.
The rising toll marks one of the deadliest periods of unrest in Iran in decades, drawing comparisons with the turmoil surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
President Trump, speaking in an interview aired Tuesday, warned Tehran against carrying out executions, saying the United States would respond with “very strong action” if protesters were hanged. His comments follow a brief but intense conflict earlier this year, during which U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear sites after Israel launched attacks on Iran.
On the streets of Tehran, fear still hangs in the air. While riot police and Basij forces have largely pulled back, plainclothes security personnel remain visible in several neighborhoods. Schools remain closed in many areas, leaving families anxious.
“We are living in fear,” said a mother of two, speaking anonymously. “Gunfire, deaths, closed schools — it feels like calm on the surface, but anything can happen.”
Witnesses described security forces using live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators. “People came out to raise their voices, but it turned into a war zone,” said Ahmadreza Tavakoli, a Tehran resident. “The people had nothing. Only the security forces had guns.”
Meanwhile, Iran is preparing mass funerals for 100 security personnel killed during the unrest.
Activists also reported that Starlink satellite internet is now offering free service inside Iran, helping citizens bypass government-imposed internet restrictions. However, authorities have reportedly begun searching homes for Starlink equipment, raising fresh concerns over crackdowns on digital access.
With communication lines still restricted and arrests ongoing, accurately assessing the situation remains difficult. As tensions rise, many fear the worst is yet to come.
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