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Ex-President Trump has stated he would step in in Iran if its government use lethal force against demonstrators, leading to warnings from Iran's leadership that any US intervention would cross a “red line”.

A Social Media Statement Fuels Diplomatic Strain

Via a online statement on Friday, the former president stated that if the country were to use deadly force against protesters, the America would “come to their rescue”. He added, “our response is imminent,” without detailing what that might mean in actual terms.

Protests Enter the New Week Against a Backdrop of Economic Turmoil

Public unrest are now in their sixth day, constituting the biggest in recent memory. The present demonstrations were sparked by an sharp drop in the country's money on Sunday, with its value plummeting to about a record depreciation, further exacerbating an existing financial crisis.

Multiple individuals have been reported killed, including a member of the state-affiliated group. Footage circulate showing officials armed with firearms, with the audio of gunfire present in the background.

National Leaders Deliver Firm Rebukes

Addressing the intervention warning, an official, counselor for the supreme leader, warned that Iran’s national security were a “red line, not a subject for reckless social media posts”.

“Any foreign interference approaching our national security on false pretenses will be met with a swift consequence,” he posted.

Another leader, a key security official, claimed the US and Israel of being involved in the unrest, a frequent accusation by the government in response to domestic dissent.

“Washington needs to know that foreign interference in this national affair will lead to turmoil in the whole region and the damage to Washington's stakes,” Larijani stated. “US citizens must know that Trump is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should consider the well-being of their military personnel.”

Context of Strain and Demonstration Scale

The nation has previously warned against American soldiers deployed in the Middle East in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on a facility in Qatar after the American attacks on its nuclear facilities.

The ongoing demonstrations have occurred in Tehran but have also spread to other cities, such as Isfahan. Merchants have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and activists have gathered on university grounds. Though financial hardship are the primary complaint, protesters have also chanted anti-government slogans and decried what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Stance Shifts

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited demonstration organizers, adopting a more conciliatory tone than the government did during the earlier demonstrations, which were put down harshly. Pezeshkian stated that he had directed the administration to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The loss of life of protesters, however, suggest that authorities are adopting a tougher stance against the protests as they continue. A statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on Monday stated that it would take a harsh line against any outside meddling or “sedition” in the country.

While Iranian authorities deal with protests at home, it has attempted to refute allegations from the US that it is reviving its nuclear activities. Iran has stated that it is ceased such work anywhere in the country and has expressed it is open for talks with the west.