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Donald Trump has warned of involvement in the Islamic Republic should its authorities use lethal force against protesters, prompting admonishments from Iran's leadership that any involvement from Washington would cross a “red line”.

A Public Statement Escalates Tensions

Through a online statement on recently, the former president declared that if Iran were to fire upon protesters, the US would “intervene on their behalf”. He further stated, “we are prepared to act,” without explaining what that could entail in reality.

Unrest Enter the Next Phase Amid Financial Crisis

Public unrest are now in their latest phase, constituting the largest in several years. The current unrest were sparked by an sharp drop in the country's money on recently, with its worth falling to about a record depreciation, worsening an existing financial crisis.

Seven people have been reported killed, including a member of the paramilitary organization. Videos circulate showing law enforcement armed with shotguns, with the sound of shooting heard in the background.

Iranian Officials Issue Stark Warnings

Reacting to Trump’s threat, a top adviser, adviser to the supreme leader, warned that Iran’s national security were a “definitive boundary, not a subject for reckless social media posts”.

“Any external involvement approaching Iran security on any excuse will be met with a forceful retaliation,” Shamkhani said.

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

“Washington needs to know that US intervention in this domestic matter will lead to instability across the Middle East and the damage to American interests,” the official stated. “The American people must know that the former president is the one that began this escalation, and they should consider the well-being of their soldiers.”

Context of Tensions and Demonstration Scale

Iran has threatened to target American soldiers stationed in the region in the past, and in June it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in the Gulf following the US struck its nuclear facilities.

The ongoing demonstrations have been centered in Tehran but have also reached other urban centers, such as Isfahan. Shopkeepers have closed their stores in protest, and activists have gathered on campuses. Though financial hardship are the central grievance, demonstrators have also voiced calls for change and decried what they said was failures by officials.

Government Response Changes

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited demonstration organizers, adopting a softer stance than the government did during the 2022 protests, which were put down harshly. The president noted that he had directed the administration to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The fatalities of protesters, however, could signal that the state are becoming more forceful against the protests as they persist. A statement from the powerful military force on Monday stated that it would take a harsh line against any outside meddling or “unrest” in the country.

While Iranian authorities grapple with domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off allegations from the US that it is reviving its nuclear activities. Tehran has stated that it is no longer enriching uranium at present and has expressed it is ready for talks with the international community.