Iran’s judiciary signaled on Wednesday that fast trials and executions are planned for those detained in nationwide protests, despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei made the comments as activists warned hangings of detainees could occur soon. A bloody crackdown by security forces has killed at least 2,571 people, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The toll is the highest for protests in Iran in decades and recalls the unrest surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Trump has repeatedly warned the United States may take military action over the killing of peaceful protesters, following a June 12-day war in which Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites.

Meanwhile, Iran prepared for the mass funeral of 100 security force members killed during the demonstrations. People remain fearful in the streets, though anti-riot police and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard forces appear to have returned to barracks.

“We are very frightened because of these sounds (of gunfire) and protests,” said one mother of two, shopping for fruits and vegetables Wednesday. “We have heard many are killed and many are injured. Now peace has been restored but schools are closed and I’m scared to send my children to school again.”

Ahmadreza Tavakoli, 36, told The Associated Press he witnessed a protest in Tehran and was shocked by authorities’ use of firearms. “People were out to express themselves and protest, but quickly it turned into a war zone,” he said. “The people do not have guns. Only the security forces have guns.”

Mohseni-Ejei made the statement in a video shared by Iranian state television online. “If we want to do a job, we should do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly. If it becomes late, two months, three months later, it doesn’t have the same effect. If we want to do something, we have to do that fast.”

His comments directly challenge Trump, who said in a CBS interview Tuesday, “We will take very strong action. If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action. We don’t want to see what’s happening in Iran happen. And you know, if they want to have protests, that’s one thing, 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.”

Activists reported that Starlink is offering free service in Iran, helping people bypass an internet shutdown launched by the government on Jan. 8. Iran resumed some international mobile calls on Tuesday, though calls from abroad remain blocked.

“We can confirm that the free subscription for Starlink terminals is fully functional,” said Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist who helped deliver the units. “We tested it using a newly activated Starlink terminal inside Iran.” Starlink has not immediately responded to the report.

Security forces reportedly searched for Starlink dishes, raiding apartment buildings in northern Tehran. Though satellite television dishes are illegal, enforcement had largely been relaxed in recent years.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that 2,403 of the dead were protesters, 147 were government-affiliated, 12 were children, and nine were civilians not participating in protests. More than 18,100 people have been detained.

Communication disruptions have made independent verification of the death toll and protests difficult. (Arise News)

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