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Ex-President Trump has warned of involvement in the Islamic Republic should its government use lethal force against protesters, prompting warnings from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any involvement from Washington would cross a “red line”.

A Public Declaration Ignites Diplomatic Strain

Via a public declaration on Friday, Trump said that if the country were to shoot and kill demonstrators, the United States would “come to their rescue”. He further stated, “we are prepared to act,” without detailing what that could entail in reality.

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

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their second week, constituting the largest since 2022. The ongoing protests were triggered by an steep fall in the national currency on recently, with its worth dropping to about a record depreciation, intensifying an existing financial crisis.

Several citizens have been confirmed dead, among them a volunteer for the state-affiliated group. Footage have shown officials carrying firearms, with the audio of gunfire audible in the recordings.

National Authorities Issue Firm Warnings

In response to the statement, an official, adviser to the country's highest authority, warned that internal matters were a “non-negotiable limit, not fodder for adventurist tweets”.

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

Another senior Iranian official, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the foreign powers of being involved in the protests, a frequent accusation by officials in response to domestic dissent.

“Trump must realize that US intervention in this national affair will lead to instability across the Middle East and the damage to Washington's stakes,” the official declared. “The American people must know that Trump is the one that started this adventure, and they should be concerned for the security of their soldiers.”

Background of Conflict and Demonstration Scope

Tehran has threatened to target US troops stationed in the region in the before, and in recent months it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following the US struck related infrastructure.

The current protests have taken place in the capital but have also spread to other urban centers, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have closed their stores in protest, and youth have gathered on university grounds. Though financial hardship are the main issue, demonstrators have also voiced calls for change and condemned what they said was failures by officials.

Official Approach Shifts

The Iranian president, the president, first called for representatives, taking a less confrontational approach than the government did during the 2022 protests, which were put down harshly. The president noted that he had directed the government to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The recent deaths of protesters, though, may indicate that officials are becoming more forceful as they address the protests as they persist. A statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on Monday stated that it would act decisively against any outside meddling or “sedition” in the country.

As Tehran face protests at home, it has attempted to refute claims from the United States that it is reconstituting its nuclear activities. Tehran has claimed that it is halted enrichment activities anywhere in the country and has indicated it is open for dialogue with the international community.