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Ex-President Trump has stated he would step in in the Islamic Republic if its government harm protesters, resulting in cautionary statements from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any involvement from Washington would overstep a definitive limit.

An Online Declaration Escalates Diplomatic Strain

In a social media post on recently, Trump said that if Iran were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the America would “come to their rescue”. He added, “we are prepared to act,” without detailing what that would involve in actual terms.

Protests Continue into the New Week Amid Economic Turmoil

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their second week, marking the biggest since 2022. The present demonstrations were sparked by an unprecedented decline in the Iranian rial on Sunday, with its value plummeting to about 1.4m to the US dollar, intensifying an precarious economic situation.

Multiple individuals have been reported killed, among them a member of the Basij security force. Footage circulate showing officials armed with firearms, with the sound of shooting audible in the video.

Tehran's Officials Issue Stark Responses

Addressing the statement, a top adviser, counselor for the country's highest authority, 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 false pretenses will be cut off with a regret-inducing response,” the official said.

Another senior Iranian official, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, claimed the foreign powers of having a hand in the protests, a typical response by the government when addressing domestic dissent.

“Trump must realize that US intervention in this internal issue will lead to destabilisation of the Middle East and the damage to American interests,” Larijani wrote. “US citizens must know that Trump is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should pay attention to the security of their military personnel.”

Recent History of Conflict and Demonstration Scale

Iran has previously warned against American soldiers based in the region in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on a facility in the Gulf following the American attacks on its nuclear facilities.

The ongoing demonstrations have taken place in Tehran but have also spread to other cities, such as Isfahan. Merchants have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and activists have taken over university grounds. Though financial hardship are the primary complaint, protesters have also chanted political demands and decried what they said was graft and poor governance.

Government Stance Changes

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited demonstration organizers, adopting a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the earlier demonstrations, which were put down harshly. Pezeshkian stated that he had directed the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The loss of life of demonstrators, however, could signal that the state are taking a harder line against the unrest as they persist. A announcement from the state security apparatus on Monday cautioned that it would take a harsh line against any external involvement or “internal strife” in the country.

As Tehran face domestic dissent, it has sought to counter claims from the United States that it is reviving its atomic ambitions. Iran has said that it is halted enrichment activities at present and has expressed it is ready for negotiations with the west.