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Ex-President Trump has warned of involvement in Iran should its government harm demonstrators, resulting in cautionary statements from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any US intervention would violate a critical boundary.

A Social Media Statement Escalates Tensions

Through a social media post on recently, Trump declared that if Iran were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the America would “intervene on their behalf”. He added, “our response is imminent,” without clarifying what that would involve in actual terms.

Protests Continue into the Sixth Day Amid Economic Crisis

Public unrest are now in their second week, constituting the biggest in recent memory. The ongoing protests were triggered by an sharp drop in the country's money on Sunday, with its worth dropping to about a historic low, worsening an already beleaguered economy.

Seven people have been reported killed, among them a volunteer for the Basij security force. Videos reportedly show officials armed with shotguns, with the sound of shooting audible in the recordings.

Iranian Authorities Deliver Firm Warnings

Reacting to Trump’s threat, an official, counselor for the country's highest authority, warned that internal matters were a “red line, not a subject for reckless social media posts”.

“Any external involvement approaching Iran security on pretexts will be cut off with a swift consequence,” the official said.

Another leader, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the outside actors of orchestrating the protests, a typical response by officials when addressing domestic dissent.

“Trump must realize that American involvement in this internal issue will lead to destabilisation of the entire area and the destruction of Washington's stakes,” Larijani declared. “The American people must know that the former president is the one that started this adventure, and they should be concerned for the safety of their military personnel.”

Background of Tensions and Demonstration Nature

Tehran has previously warned against American soldiers deployed in the region in the past, and in June it launched strikes on a facility in the Gulf following the American attacks on related infrastructure.

The current protests have occurred in the capital but have also reached other urban centers, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have closed their stores in protest, and youth have gathered on campuses. While financial hardship are the main issue, demonstrators have also chanted political demands and condemned what they said was failures by officials.

Presidential Approach Changes

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, offered talks with demonstration organizers, adopting a more conciliatory tone than authorities did during the 2022 protests, which were met with force. He stated that he had ordered the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The recent deaths of protesters, could, could signal that officials are taking a harder line against the protests as they persist. A announcement from the powerful military force on Monday stated that it would take a harsh line against any foreign interference or “internal strife” in the country.

While Tehran face protests at home, it has attempted to refute allegations from the United States that it is reviving its nuclear activities. Officials has stated that it is halted enrichment activities at present and has expressed it is willing to engage in dialogue with the international community.