The Chief Justice of Iran indicated that the government would move quickly to hold trials and executions for demonstrators detained in the deadly anti-regime protests rocking the country — despite a warning from President Trump that such a move would result in a US military response.
“If we want to do a job, we should do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly,” Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei chillingly warned in a video shared by Iranian state television online.
“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.”
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026. AP Protesters gather on the streets of Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 8, 2026. Getty ImagesThe harrowing declaration comes as the brutal regime was set to execute its first protester — 26-year-old Erfan Soltani — on Wednesday.
His hanging, however, was postponed without explanation, Soltani’s cousin told the Guardian later Wednesday. The cousin said Soltani’s family had not heard or seen him to confirm.
Mohseni-Ejei’s comments are a direct challenge to Trump, who warned that hanging the protesters could force the US to strike.
Here is the latest on the civil unrest in Iran:
Trump says Iran has stopped killing protesters: ‘There’s no plan for executions’ Iran issues sickening assassination threat against Trump: ‘This time it will not miss the target’ US pulls some troops from Middle East bases, sends guided missile destroyer to Persian Gulf Doctors in Iran collapsing from exhaustion as protesters wounded, killed by regime pile up: ‘Rivers of blood’“We will take very strong action,” Trump said in an interview that aired on CBS News Tuesday night. “If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action.”
On Wednesday, the commander in chief said that “the other side” has claimed Iran has stopped killing protesters and that the executions were also off the table.
Trump declined to say who offered those assurances, aside from “very important sources on the other side.”
“I’ve been told that a good authority — we will find out about it. I’m sure if it happens, we’ll all be very upset … but that’s just gotten to me, the information that the killing has stopped, that the executions have stopped, they’re not going to have an execution,” Trump said from the Oval Office.
At least 2,400 protesters have already been killed since the start of Iran’s merciless crackdown on the widespread demonstrations, according to a US-based rights group — although the true number is feared to be as high as 20,000, sources within the country told CBS News.
A protester holds up a burning photo of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei outside the Iranian Embassy in London on Jan. 12, 2026. ZUMAPRESS.com People walk through rows of dozens of bodies lying on the ground at the Tehran Province Forensic Diagnostic and Laboratory Centre in Kahrizak. UGC/AFP via Getty Images Iran began allowing people to call out internationally on Tuesday via their mobile phones, but calls from people outside the country into Iran remain blocked. APThe brave protesters are calling for an end to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s theocracy, which has crippled the economy.
Another 18,100 people have been taken into custody, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Erfan Soltani has been sentenced to death for is role in the Iran anti-government protests. Threads / @erfn_sy A protester holds up a burning photo of Khamenei outside Downing Street in London, UK. REUTERS Iran prepared for the mass funeral of 100 security force members killed in the demonstrations as people remained fearful in the streets. Getty ImagesTrump, meanwhile, has said the “endgame” of taking strong action against Tehran would be “to win,” and implied that it would involve a military operation when asked how he would define victory in Iran.
“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.”
The president suggested that direct US intervention may soon be deployed after he cut off negotiations with the Islamic Republic on Tuesday.
The US last attacked the Islamic Republic during the 12-day war, targeting its nuclear facilities.
Iran said that another attack from the US would be met with retaliation against US troops stationed in the region.
With Post wires
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