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Ex-President Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran if its regime use lethal force against protesters, leading to cautionary statements from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any US intervention would overstep a definitive limit.

A Public Declaration Escalates Tensions

Through a public declaration on recently, the former president stated that if the country were to shoot and kill protesters, the America would “come to their rescue”. He further stated, “our response is imminent,” without detailing what that could entail in actual terms.

Protests Enter the Next Phase Amid Financial Strain

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their latest phase, marking the most significant since 2022. The ongoing protests were triggered by an sharp drop in the Iranian rial on recently, with its worth dropping to about a historic low, worsening an already beleaguered economy.

Several citizens have been confirmed dead, including a volunteer for the state-affiliated group. Videos have shown law enforcement armed with shotguns, with the sound of shooting present in the video.

Tehran's Leaders Issue Strong Warnings

Reacting to the intervention warning, a top adviser, adviser to the supreme leader, stated that internal matters were a “red line, not material for online provocations”.

“Any foreign interference approaching the country's stability on any excuse will be met with a swift consequence,” Shamkhani posted.

A separate high-ranking figure, a key security official, alleged the outside actors of having a hand in the unrest, a typical response by officials in response to 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 American interests,” the official declared. “US citizens must know that the former president is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should pay attention to the safety of their military personnel.”

Background of Conflict and Demonstration Scope

The nation has previously warned against American soldiers based in the region in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in the Gulf after the US struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The current protests have taken place in Tehran but have also reached other urban centers, such as a major city. Merchants have closed their stores in solidarity, and students have taken over campuses. While the currency crisis are the main issue, protesters have also chanted calls for change and criticized what they said was failures by officials.

Official Stance Changes

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, first called for protest leaders, taking a more conciliatory tone than authorities did during the 2022 protests, which were put down harshly. Pezeshkian noted that he had instructed the government to listen to the demonstrators' core grievances.

The recent deaths of protesters, could, suggest that officials are taking a harder line against the unrest as they continue. A communiqué from the powerful military force on recently warned that it would take a harsh line against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

As the government grapple with protests at home, it has sought to counter claims from the US that it is reconstituting its nuclear activities. Iran has claimed that it is ceased such work anywhere in the country and has signaled it is ready for negotiations with the international community.