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Ex-President Trump has warned of involvement in the Islamic Republic should its authorities use lethal force against protesters, resulting in cautionary statements from Iran's leadership that any US intervention would cross a “red line”.

A Social Media Statement Escalates Diplomatic Strain

In a public declaration on Friday, Trump stated that if Iran were to shoot and kill protesters, the America would “come to their rescue”. He further stated, “our response is imminent,” without clarifying what that would involve in practice.

Demonstrations Continue into the Next Phase Against a Backdrop of Financial Strain

Public unrest are now in their latest phase, constituting the biggest since 2022. The current unrest were triggered by an steep fall in the Iranian rial on Sunday, with its worth dropping to about a historic low, worsening an existing financial crisis.

Several citizens have been lost their lives, among them a volunteer for the Basij security force. Videos reportedly show officials carrying shotguns, with the audio of gunfire audible in the recordings.

National Officials Deliver Firm Responses

Reacting to Trump’s threat, an official, counselor for the supreme leader, warned that the nation's sovereignty were a “red line, not a subject for adventurist tweets”.

“Any external involvement targeting the country's stability on pretexts will be cut off with a swift consequence,” he said.

A separate high-ranking figure, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, accused the US and Israel of orchestrating the unrest, a frequent accusation by Tehran when addressing domestic dissent.

“The US should understand that foreign interference in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the entire area and the damage to US assets,” he wrote. “The American people must know that the former president is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should pay attention to the security of their troops.”

Recent History of Conflict and Protest Scale

Iran has previously warned against foreign forces deployed in the Middle East in the past, and in June it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following the US struck its nuclear facilities.

The present unrest have been centered in the capital but have also reached other urban centers, such as a major city. Business owners have closed their stores in solidarity, and activists have gathered on university grounds. While economic conditions are the central grievance, demonstrators have also chanted political demands and decried what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Government Response Changes

The nation's leader, the president, offered talks with protest leaders, taking a more conciliatory tone than the government did during the earlier demonstrations, which were violently suppressed. He stated that he had directed the government to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The loss of life of demonstrators, though, could signal that the state are taking a harder line as they address the protests as they persist. A statement from the powerful military force on Monday stated that it would act decisively against any external involvement or “sedition” in the country.

While Tehran deal with domestic dissent, it has sought to counter claims from the US that it is reviving its nuclear programme. Iran has claimed that it is halted enrichment activities anywhere in the country and has signaled it is open for dialogue with the international community.