India, Jan. 15 -- Iran's top judge hinted at fast trials and executions for those who were detained in nationwide protests against the country's theocracy, even as activists said Wednesday that the death toll rose to levels unseen in decades, with at least 2,572 people killed so far.

Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, made the comments about trials and executions in a video on Tuesday, despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that he would "take very strong action" if executions take place. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the number of dead climbed to at least 2,571 early Wednesday. The figure dwarfs the death toll from any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the c...