Iran to fast-track executions - as protester, 26, set to be hanged ‘within hours’ despite warnings from Trump
Around 2,000 people have been confirmed killed in protests but opposition figures claim the death toll could be as high as 12,000
Iran's top judge has hinted at fast trials and executions for people detained in nationwide protests against the regime, as activists said the death toll had risen to 2,572.
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Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei made the comments in a video shared by Iranian state TV, despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that he will "take very strong action" if executions take place.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the number of dead had climbed to at least 2,571 early on Wednesday. The figure dwarfs the toll from any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
After Mr Trump was informed on the number of deaths, he warned Tehran that he was terminating any negotiations and would "act accordingly".
Details of the crackdown began emerging on Tuesday as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications countrywide when the protests broke out.
Mr Mohseni-Ejei emphasised the need for swift action, saying delays would lessen the impact.
His remarks challenge Mr Trump, who warned Tehran about executions in an interview aired on Tuesday.
He said the US would take strong action if Iran proceeded with executions, amid escalating tensions between the two countries over the handling of the protests.
Some personnel have been advised to leave the US military's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening, it is understood, amid warnings that the US could intervene to protect protesters in Iran.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency said the death toll includes at least 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated people, adding that 12 children were killed, along with nine civilians who were not taking part in protests. More than 18,100 people have been detained, the group said.
Iranian state television said a mass funeral in Tehran on Wednesday will include 300 bodies of security force members and civilians. The funeral is expected to take place at the University of Tehran under heavy security.
An Arab Gulf diplomat said major Middle East governments including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are discouraging the Trump administration from waging a war with Iran, fearing "unprecedented consequences" in the region.
The source said the governments have been "in constant contact" with Washington over a potential American strike that could explode into a "full-blown war", which would "certainly" have dire repercussions "not only on the Middle East but also on the global economy".
Satellite internet provider Starlink is offering a free service in to people Iran who have access to the company's receivers, activists said on Wednesday.
Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist who helped get the units into Iran, told the Associated Press the free service had started, confirmed by other activists online.
Starlink has been the only way for Iranians to communicate with the outside world since authorities shut down the internet on Thursday night as nationwide protests swelled and began a crackdown against demonstrators.
Starlink did not immediately acknowledge the decision.
Iran is currently subject to a total internet blackout, with families kept in the dark about whether their loved ones have been detained.
The Kurdish human rights organisation Hengaw has said there may be ‘many’ more cases like that of young shopkeeper Erfan Soltani, who is due to be executed by hanging today.
Hengaw spokesman Awyer Shekhi said there could be ‘many’ other cases like his. "He's just someone who's against the current situation in Iran... now he's received a death sentence for expressing his opinion,” she said.
Arina Moradi, a member of the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights who has spoken to sources close to the Soltani family, told the Daily Mail: "At this stage, Hengaw has not been able to independently confirm whether Erfan Soltani was executed today.
"Due to the ongoing and near-total internet and telecommunications shutdown, our ability to verify developments in real time remains extremely limited.
"We are actively trying to re-establish contact with sources connected to this case.
"However, so far, we have not received confirmation as to whether the family was ultimately able to see him, nor whether the sentence has been implemented."
Erfan’s sister tried to pursue his case and help him but was stonewalled. The Iranian authorities have said they will allow a final meeting with family members before his execution.
Tehran prosecutors have said Iranian authorities would press capital charges of “moharebeh”, or “waging war against God”, against some suspects arrested over recent demonstrations.
The US State Department on its Farsi language X account said of Soltani: “Erfan is the first protester to be sentenced to death, but he won’t be the last,” adding that more than 10,600 Iranians had been arrested since the protests began on December 28.
Erfan is due to be hanged on Wednesday morning local time.
Donald Trump has said the US would retaliate should they begin executions.
The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group said Iranian authorities have described the protesters as rioters, terrorists and agitators, linking them to Israel and the United States — offences punishable by death. Authorities have vowed to deal with the protesters’ cases “severely and swiftly” in special branches of the revolutionary courts.
Mr Trump told CBS News: "I haven't heard about the hanging. If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing."
According to human rights groups in the country, clothes shop owner Erfan Soltani, 26, is scheduled to be hanged following his arrest during the protests in Karaj.
Read More: Iran's IRGC could be banned as terror group if Government looks to 'change law', minister tells LBC
The theocratic dictatorship has admitted that at least 2,000 people have been killed by authorities cracking down on the protests.
However, opposition groups have claimed that as many as 12,000 have lost their lives as a result of the lethal repression.
Speaking of Mr Soltani's situation, the Iran Human Rights group said on Tuesday: "His family was told that he had been sentenced to death and that the sentence is due to be carried out on 14 January."
Mr Trump has repeatedly hinted at US intervention as the protests rage, saying on Tuesday that "help is on its way" but refusing to elaborate on what actions would follow.
The President wrote on Truth Social: "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!"
He reiterated the message during a speech in Detroit, saying that his administration had abruptly ended talks with Iranian officials until the brutal crackdown on protesters ceases.
Sources say long-range missile strikes remain an option for Washington, where officials are also considering cyber operations and psychological campaign responses.
Verified information from inside Iran has been scarce since the protests began in recent weeks due to the regime restricting internet access for its citizens.
Trump ally Elon Musk has reportedly offered use of Starlink satellites to allow Iranian citizens to get online, as he has done so for those in Ukraine and disaster zones in recent years.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans for “full and further sanctions” against Iran targeting finance, energy, transport, software and other significant industries.
Iran has blamed the unrest on foreign influence and instigation, but Ms Cooper has slammed this as “lies and propaganda”.
Announcing plans for fresh sanctions against the regime, the Foreign Secretary said in the Commons: “Just as they did in 2022, it’s absolutely clear the Iranian regime are trying to paint these protests as the result of foreign influence and instigation.
“They’re using that accusation to try and whip up opposition to the protests amongst anti-Western Iranians and try to justify their vicious and sickening attacks on the ordinary civilians marching through the streets.
“These are nothing but lies and propaganda being spread by a desperate regime."
She added that Tehran "must not be allowed to undermine a genuine grassroots movement drawing together people from all parts of Iranian society and spreading across multiple cities and regions.“
Ms Cooper continued: "And that is why we and other governments across the world are determined not to play into the hands of the regime or to allow our words or actions to be twisted to support their lies and propaganda…
“The world is watching Iran, and the UK will continue to confront the regime’s lies, to call out its repression and to take the steps necessary to protect the UK’s interests.”
The reiteration of the options came as President Trump also announced a massive tariff hike on those doing business with the Islamic Republic.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump announced: "Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America."This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Ms Cooper also confirmed on Tuesday that the Foreign Office has summoned the Iranian ambassador over the country’s response to protests against the ruling regime.
The Foreign Secretary said she spoke to the Iranian foreign minister on Monday “setting out the UK’s total abhorrence of the killings, the violence, and the repression that we are seeing”.
She told the Commons: "Today, as the further reports have come through, the minister for the Middle East (Hamish Falconer) at my instruction has summoned the Iranian ambassador to underline the gravity of this moment, and to call Iran to answer for the horrific reports that we are hearing.”