Iran Protest Death Penalty 2026: Judiciary Vows Fast-Track Executions Amid Surging Death Toll

Iran's streets are filled with protesters demanding bread, but the judiciary's preparing the gallows. Iran's judiciary chief pledged on January 14, 2026, to fast-track trials for those arrested in what authorities have labeled "riots," raising fears of mass executions. According to Al Jazeera, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei told state TV that "saboteurs" would face swift punishment.

Iran Protest Death Penalty 2026 and the Hardline Judiciary Response

Tehran prosecutors are pressing capital charges of "moharebeh," or "waging war against God," against many detainees. This legal maneuver allows for the death penalty for individuals accused of destabilizing the country. Rights groups like Amnesty International have called for an immediate halt to all executions, including that of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who's reportedly scheduled for execution this week.

Disputed Death Tolls and Foreign Meddling Claims

The scale of the tragedy remains a point of fierce contention. While state officials claim 100 security members have died, opposition activists suggest the toll's much higher. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that at least 2,571 people have been killed since the unrest began on December 28. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed "foreign elements" from Israel and the US for inciting the violence.

Donald Trump's Warning and Pezeshkian's Dilemma

US President Donald Trump hasn't minced words, threatening military action if the Iranian government continues to kill protesters. He's urged the public to "keep protesting," promising that help is on the way. President Masoud Pezeshkian conceded that economic grievances—driven by soaring inflation and a plummeting rial—are real, yet he faces immense pressure from the clerical establishment to suppress the movement.