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Donald Trump has stated he would step in in Iran if its authorities use lethal force against protesters, leading to admonishments from senior Iranian officials that any involvement from Washington would violate a critical boundary.

A Social Media Declaration Ignites Diplomatic Strain

In a social media post on Friday, the former president stated that if Iran were to shoot and kill protesters, the United States would “intervene on their behalf”. He further stated, “we are prepared to act,” without explaining what that might mean in actual terms.

Unrest Continue into the Sixth Day Amid Financial Strain

Protests in Iran are now in their latest phase, constituting the biggest in several years. The current unrest were triggered by an unprecedented decline in the Iranian rial on recently, with its worth dropping to about 1.4m to the US dollar, intensifying an precarious economic situation.

Seven people have been lost their lives, including a member of the state-affiliated group. Videos reportedly show security forces carrying firearms, with the audio of gunfire present in the background.

Iranian Officials Issue Stark Warnings

Reacting to Trump’s threat, an official, adviser to the supreme leader, stated that internal matters were a “red line, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any foreign interference targeting our national security on false pretenses will be severed with a forceful retaliation,” Shamkhani posted.

A separate high-ranking figure, Ali Larijani, claimed the outside actors of orchestrating the demonstrations, a common refrain by Tehran in response to domestic dissent.

“Trump must realize that US intervention in this national affair will lead to turmoil in the whole region and the damage to American interests,” Larijani wrote. “The American people must know that Trump is the one that began this escalation, and they should pay attention to the well-being of their soldiers.”

Background of Conflict and Protest Scale

Tehran has threatened to target foreign forces deployed in the Middle East in the past, and in June it attacked a facility in Qatar following the American attacks on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The current protests have occurred in Tehran but have also reached other urban centers, such as Isfahan. Merchants have shuttered businesses in protest, and students have gathered on campuses. While the currency crisis are the main issue, protesters have also chanted anti-government slogans and decried what they said was graft and poor governance.

Presidential Stance Shifts

The head of state, the president, offered talks with demonstration organizers, adopting a more conciliatory tone than authorities did during the 2022 protests, which were met with force. The president noted that he had directed the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, though, suggest that the state are adopting a tougher stance as they address the protests as they continue. A announcement from the state security apparatus on Monday stated that it would respond forcefully against any external involvement or “internal strife” in the country.

As Iranian authorities grapple with internal challenges, it has sought to counter claims from the US that it is reviving its nuclear activities. Iran has claimed that it is ceased such work domestically and has indicated it is willing to engage in dialogue with the international community.