Fears Iran judiciary could fast-track executions of protesters despite Trump threat

Iran's judiciary chief has signalled that it could fast-track trials and executions for political dissidents, defying warnings from US President Donald Trump if military action and prompting renewed concern from human rights groups.

Judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei told state news on Wednesday that cases against detainees should be dealt with promptly, arguing that delayed rulings would lose their impact.

"If we want to do a job, we should do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly," Mohseni Ejei said. "If it becomes late, two months, three months later, it doesn't have the same effect."

His comments came as activists warned that executions by hanging could be imminent for some detainees.

Human rights organisations say the crackdown on the protests has already resulted in the highest death toll from unrest in Iran in decades, recalling the violence surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 2,571 people have been killed since the protests began, although The New Arab cannot independently verify this figure due to an information blackout in Iran.

Of those, 2,403 were protesters, 147 were government-affiliated personnel, and 12 were children. The group said more than 18,100 people have been detained.

Iranian rights groups have warned that the judiciary is preparing to execute individuals accused of taking part in the demonstrations, which were initially driven by economic grievances before spreading nationwide to wider anti-government protests calling for the downfall of the regime.

The US State Department has identified 26-year-old Erfan Soltani as one of those facing imminent execution. Soltani was detained last Thursday for allegedly participating in anti-government protests near Tehran and is due to be executed on Wednesday, just two days after a court ruling. Prosecutors have charged him with "waging war against God", a capital offence under Iranian law.

The Kurdish human rights organisation Hengaw has warned that there are many similar cases.

State television has said around 200 people have been arrested on accusations of storing weapons and ammunition, charges frequently used by authorities to justify harsh sentences.

Trump, speaking in an interview with CBS News aired on Tuesday, warned Tehran against carrying out executions.

"We will take very strong action," he said, without providing details. "When they start killing thousands of people, and now you're telling me about hanging, we'll see how that works out for them. It's not going to work out good."

Trump has repeatedly warned that the United States could take military action in response to the killing of peaceful protesters, just months after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in June.

Iranian officials have dismissed the threats, accusing Washington of using "imperialist rhetoric" to manufacture a pretext for intervention. In a call with the UAE, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the unrest was driven by foreign "incitement" backed by Israel and the US. A day earlier, he told Al Jazeera Arabic that Iran was "ready" for war with the US.

Amid the escalating rhetoric, Tehran has suspended direct communication with Washington. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Iran halted contacts between Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with an Iranian official saying that Washington's threats had undermined diplomatic efforts and led to the cancellation of any potential meetings on the nuclear file.

Meanwhile, regional powers are seeking to prevent further escalation, with Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, pressing the Trump administration not to strike Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar warned the White House that any attempt to topple the Iranian government would destabilise global oil markets and ultimately harm the US economy, according to Gulf officials cited by the newspaper.

The paper said Arab states fear air strikes could disrupt oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi officials told the WSJ that Riyadh had assured Tehran it would not take part in any war and would not allow the United States to use the kingdom's airspace for attacks.

A Saudi official said regional stability was a top priority for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Gulf officials confirmed that the UAE was not involved in the effort.

Separately, Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official as saying Tehran had warned regional states that US military bases on their territory would be targeted if Iran were attacked, and urged them to block any US assault.

Inside Iran, security forces remain heavily deployed. On Wednesday, authorities prepared for a mass funeral at Tehran University for around 100 security personnel killed during the unrest, described by the semi-official Tasnim news agency as "martyrs and security defenders".

Eyewitnesses reported continued fear in the streets, with plainclothes security personnel present in several neighbourhoods.

"We are very frightened because of the sounds of gunfire and protests," said one mother of two in Tehran, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Many have been killed and injured. Schools are closed and I'm scared to send my children back."

Communications remain restricted. While Iran began allowing limited international outgoing calls on Tuesday, incoming calls remain blocked. The internet monitoring group NetBlocks said a nationwide blackout has now exceeded 132 hours.

Activists said satellite internet service Starlink has begun offering free access inside Iran, helping bypass the shutdown. Authorities have reportedly responded by raiding buildings in search of satellite dishes, particularly in northern Tehran.

Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's former shah, said there was a political alternative outside the country ready to step in should the government collapse.

Independent verification of the situation inside Iran remains difficult due to ongoing communication restrictions, with international media largely unable to assess the scale of casualties or detentions firsthand.