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Ex-President Trump has threatened to intervene in the Islamic Republic if its regime use lethal force against demonstrators, leading to admonishments from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any American interference would overstep a definitive limit.

A Social Media Post Ignites Diplomatic Strain

Via a public declaration on Friday, Trump said that if the country were to shoot and kill protesters, the US would “come to their rescue”. He further stated, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without explaining what that could entail in practice.

Unrest Continue into the Next Phase Amid Economic Strain

Protests in Iran are now in their latest phase, constituting the most significant in several years. The present demonstrations were catalyzed by an steep fall in the country's money on recently, with its value dropping to about a record depreciation, worsening an precarious economic situation.

Multiple individuals have been confirmed dead, including a member of the paramilitary organization. Recordings circulate showing officials carrying firearms, with the sound of shooting heard in the recordings.

Iranian Officials Issue Firm Responses

In response to the statement, a top adviser, counselor for the supreme leader, stated that internal matters were a “red line, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any external involvement nearing Iran security on false pretenses will be cut off with a swift consequence,” Shamkhani said.

Another leader, Ali Larijani, claimed the US and Israel of being involved in the unrest, a frequent accusation by Tehran when addressing protests.

“Trump must realize that American involvement in this national affair will lead to instability across the Middle East and the damage to US assets,” the official wrote. “US citizens must know that Trump is the one that began this escalation, and they should pay attention to the well-being of their troops.”

Recent History of Tensions and Demonstration Scope

Iran has threatened to target US troops stationed in the region in the before, and in recent months it attacked a facility in the Gulf following the US struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The present unrest have taken place in Tehran but have also spread to other cities, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have gone on strike in solidarity, and activists have taken over university grounds. Though economic conditions are the primary complaint, protesters have also voiced calls for change and decried what they said was graft and poor governance.

Presidential Approach Shifts

The nation's leader, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited demonstration organizers, adopting a softer stance than the government did during the previous unrest, which were violently suppressed. He noted that he had instructed the government to listen to the demonstrators' core grievances.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, however, could signal that officials are becoming more forceful against the protests as they continue. A statement from the state security apparatus on Monday stated that it would respond forcefully against any foreign interference or “unrest” in the country.

While Tehran grapple with protests at home, it has attempted to refute accusations from the US that it is reconstituting its atomic ambitions. Officials has said that it is ceased such work at present and has indicated it is open for negotiations with the west.