On Wednesday, Iran’s attorney general indicated that swift trials and executions are in the works for individuals detained during nationwide protests, despite warnings from US President Trump.
Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei’s remarks coincided with activists alerting that hangings of detainees could take place shortly.
The Human Rights Defenders News Agency, based in the US, reported that security forces have already killed at least 2,571 individuals amid their aggressive crackdown on protests.
This death toll is lower than figures from past protests in Iran and draws comparisons to the unrest during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
President Trump has continually cautioned that the US might consider military action over the killing of peaceful protesters. This comes just months after airstrikes targeted Iran’s nuclear sites during a conflict involving Israel.
In the meantime, Iran is organizing mass funerals for 100 security personnel who lost their lives during the protests, and residents remain fearful as they navigate the streets.
While plainclothes police are still present in certain areas, riot police and the Basij forces connected to the Revolutionary Guards seem to have returned to their bases.
A mother of two, speaking anonymously due to fears of retaliation, expressed her apprehension: “I’m really scared because of the gunfire and the protests. I hear that many have died and others have been hurt. There’s a sense of calm now, but schools are closed, and I’m scared to send my kids back.”
Ahmadreza Tavakoli, 36, recounted witnessing protests in Tehran and expressed his shock at the authorities using firearms. “The people were expressing their will and protesting, but it quickly turned into a war zone. Only the security forces are armed,” he said.
“We have to hurry.”
Mohseni-Ejei made his comments in a video broadcasted by state television. He asserted the urgency of their actions, suggesting delays would diminish their impact.
His statements directly challenge Trump, who discussed the severe implications of possible Iranian executions during a CBS interview. “We will take very strong action if they do something like that,” Trump warned, stressing that he does not want the chaos happening in Iran to escalate.
Activists also mentioned that Starlink has begun offering its services for free in Iran, allowing some residents to bypass an internet shutdown initiated by the government.
Satellite internet has been crucial in maintaining communication since the blackout began on January 8. Although Iran has now permitted certain international phone calls, outbound calls from other countries are still blocked.
Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist, confirmed that Starlink’s service was operational, while reports surfaced of authorities inspecting homes for satellite dishes, which are illegal but commonly installed.
Death toll continues to rise
The Human Rights Defenders News Agency reported that out of the deceased, 2,403 were among the protesters, and 147 were government personnel. The death toll also includes twelve children and nine civilians who weren’t participating in the demonstrations. Over 18,100 individuals have reportedly been detained up to this point.
Due to the communications blackout, tracking the demonstrations from outside the country has become quite challenging, and assessing the extent of the damage has proven difficult.
