A top Iranian judge has seemingly snubbed Donald Trump’s warning against carrying out executions of protesters, as he said: “If we want to do a job, we should do it now.” Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei comments came as Iran’s judiciary chief signalled that fast-track trials and executions were looming for those detained in nationwide protests, despite Trump’s warning of “very strong action”.

Activists have warned that hangings could be carried out within days, as Iran’s bloody crackdown on the demonstrations has reportedly killed at least 2,571 people. The figure, reported by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, would mark the deadliest unrest in Iran in decades and has sparked fresh international alarm.

Mohseni-Ejei is Iran’s powerful judiciary chief, a hardline cleric who oversees the country’s courts and death penalty system. He is a close ally of Iran’s supreme leadership and has previously held senior roles within the country’s intelligence and judicial systems.

He made the remarks on today in a video shared by Iranian state media, insisting swift punishment was needed to have an “effect” as the unrest continues to grip the country.

His comments came just months after US forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites during a brief but intense conflict sparked by Israel, heightening fears the crisis could spiral further if executions are carried out.

Against that backdrop of heightened tensions, Mohseni-Ejei doubled down on the need for speed, saying: “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.”