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Ex-President Trump has warned of involvement in the Islamic Republic should its authorities kill demonstrators, prompting cautionary statements from Iran's leadership that any US intervention would cross a “red line”.

A Public Post Fuels Diplomatic Strain

In a public declaration on Friday, Trump declared that if the country were to fire upon demonstrators, the US would “intervene on their behalf”. He added, “we are prepared to act,” without explaining what that would involve in reality.

Unrest Enter the New Week Against a Backdrop of Economic Strain

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their second week, marking the most significant in recent memory. The ongoing protests were sparked by an unprecedented decline in the Iranian rial on Sunday, with its worth plummeting to about 1.4m to the US dollar, further exacerbating an precarious economic situation.

Multiple individuals have been reported killed, including a volunteer for the Basij security force. Videos have shown law enforcement armed with shotguns, with the noise of discharges heard in the background.

Iranian Officials Deliver Stark Rebukes

Reacting to the statement, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the supreme leader, cautioned that internal matters were a “definitive boundary, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any foreign interference targeting the country's stability on any excuse will be severed with a forceful retaliation,” the official posted.

A separate high-ranking figure, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the US and Israel of having a hand in the demonstrations, a common refrain by officials when addressing protests.

“Washington needs to know that foreign interference in this national affair will lead to turmoil in the whole region and the harm to American interests,” he wrote. “US citizens must know that the former president is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should be concerned for the well-being of their troops.”

Recent History of Tensions and Demonstration Scope

Iran has previously warned against American soldiers deployed in the Middle East in the past, and in recent months it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following the US struck its nuclear facilities.

The current protests have taken place in Tehran but have also extended to other urban centers, such as a major city. Merchants have closed their stores in protest, and students have taken over campuses. While financial hardship are the primary complaint, protesters have also chanted political demands and condemned what they said was graft and poor governance.

Presidential Stance Shifts

The head of state, the president, initially invited representatives, taking a more conciliatory tone than authorities did during the 2022 protests, which were put down harshly. Pezeshkian stated that he had instructed the government to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The loss of life of demonstrators, could, suggest that officials are taking a harder line against the protests as they continue. A statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on Monday cautioned that it would take a harsh line against any external involvement or “internal strife” in the country.

As Iranian authorities face domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off allegations from the US that it is rebuilding its atomic ambitions. Officials has stated that it is no longer enriching uranium domestically and has indicated it is willing to engage in dialogue with the west.