Despite President Donald Trump’s warnings, Iran’s chief justice called for speedy trials and executions of suspects detained in the ongoing anti-government demonstrations, a report said Wednesday.
Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei’s comments come as the death toll in the protests has risen to at least 2,571, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Other reports say the death toll is over 3,000, while the actual number is likely even higher.
“If we want to do something, we have to do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly,” Mohseni-Ejei said in a video shared by Iranian state television, according to The Associated Press. “If it gets late, two months, three months later, it doesn’t have the same effect. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly.”
Trump warned Iran about executions in an interview with Iran CBS News which aired on Tuesday.
SOME US MILITARY PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN TOLD TO LEAVE MIDDLE EAST BASES, US OFFICIAL CONFIRMS
President Donald Trump, left, and Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, Iran’s chief justice, right. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Mohammadali Najib/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
“We will take very strong action,” Trump said. “If they do something like this, we will take very strong action.”
“We don’t want to see what’s happening in Iran. And you know, if they want to have protests, that’s one thing, if 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 well,” the president added.
IRANIAN REGIME TARGETS STARLINK USERS IN BID TO RESTRICT LEAK PROTEST IMAGES
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
Trump also vowed Tuesday that those responsible for killing anti-regime protesters “will pay a heavy price.”
“Iranian patriots, KEEP PROTESTER – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Save the names of the murderers and abusers. They will pay a high price.’
People gather in Tehran, Iran on January 8, 2026. (Anonymous/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOP. HELP IS on the way,” he added.
