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The former president has threatened to intervene in the Islamic Republic should its regime harm demonstrators, prompting cautionary statements from senior Iranian officials that any involvement from Washington would overstep a definitive limit.

A Social Media Post Ignites Diplomatic Strain

Through a public declaration on recently, Trump stated that if the country were to fire upon protesters, the United States would “step in to help”. He further stated, “our response is imminent,” without explaining what that would involve in actual terms.

Unrest Continue into the Next Phase Amid Economic Strain

Public unrest are now in their sixth day, representing the biggest in several years. The present demonstrations were catalyzed by an unprecedented decline in the country's money on Sunday, with its worth plummeting to about a historic low, further exacerbating an existing financial crisis.

Multiple individuals have been lost their lives, including a member of the Basij security force. Recordings have shown officials carrying firearms, with the noise of discharges audible in the background.

National Leaders Issue Strong Warnings

Reacting to the statement, a top adviser, counselor for the supreme leader, warned that internal matters were a “non-negotiable limit, not fodder for online provocations”.

“Any external involvement nearing our national security on any excuse will be severed with a swift consequence,” the official posted.

Another senior Iranian official, a key security official, accused the outside actors of being involved in the protests, a typical response by the government in response to protests.

“The US should understand that US intervention in this national affair will lead to destabilisation of the Middle East and the harm to US assets,” he wrote. “The American people must know that Trump is the one that began this escalation, and they should consider the safety of their military personnel.”

Background of Strain and Protest Scale

Tehran has previously warned against foreign forces stationed in the region in the before, and in recent months it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in the Gulf following the American attacks on its nuclear facilities.

The current protests have taken place in Tehran but have also extended to other cities, such as a major city. Merchants have shuttered businesses in protest, and youth have taken over university grounds. Though economic conditions are the main issue, protesters have also voiced anti-government slogans and decried what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Government Approach Evolves

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, first called for protest leaders, taking a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the 2022 protests, which were met with force. The president said that he had instructed the administration to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The recent deaths of protesters, however, suggest that officials are taking a harder line against the protests as they continue. A communiqué from the powerful military force on Monday stated that it would act decisively against any foreign interference or “internal strife” in the country.

As Iranian authorities deal with domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off claims from the US that it is reviving its nuclear programme. Tehran has stated that it is halted enrichment activities domestically and has expressed it is open for dialogue with the international community.