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Ex-President Trump has threatened to intervene in the Islamic Republic should its authorities kill protesters, prompting warnings from Iran's leadership that any US intervention would cross a “red line”.

An Online Post Fuels Diplomatic Strain

Through a public declaration on recently, Trump said that if Iran were to fire upon demonstrators, the America would “come to their rescue”. He added, “our response is imminent,” without explaining what that could entail in actual terms.

Protests Enter the New Week Against a Backdrop of Economic Crisis

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their sixth day, representing the most significant in several years. The current unrest were triggered by an steep fall in the national currency on Sunday, with its value dropping to about 1.4m to the US dollar, worsening an precarious economic situation.

Several citizens have been reported killed, among them a volunteer for the paramilitary organization. Videos reportedly show security forces armed with firearms, with the noise of discharges heard in the background.

Iranian Officials Issue Strong Warnings

In response to the statement, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the supreme leader, cautioned that internal matters were a “non-negotiable limit, not fodder for online provocations”.

“Any external involvement targeting our national security on any excuse will be severed with a forceful retaliation,” Shamkhani wrote.

Another senior Iranian official, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, claimed the outside actors of having a hand in the demonstrations, a typical response by officials when addressing domestic dissent.

“Washington needs to know that US intervention in this national affair will lead to instability across the Middle East and the harm to Washington's stakes,” he stated. “The public must know that Trump is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should consider the well-being of their troops.”

Background of Tensions and Protest Nature

Tehran has previously warned against US troops deployed in the region in the before, and in June it launched strikes on a facility in Qatar following the American attacks on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The current protests have been centered in Tehran but have also spread to other urban centers, such as Isfahan. Merchants have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and youth have gathered on university grounds. While economic conditions are the primary complaint, demonstrators have also chanted anti-government slogans and condemned what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Stance Evolves

The head of state, the president, initially invited representatives, adopting a softer stance than the government did during the earlier demonstrations, which were met with force. He said that he had instructed the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The loss of life of protesters, though, could signal that authorities are adopting a tougher stance as they address the protests as they persist. A statement from the state security apparatus on Monday stated that it would respond forcefully against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

As the government face protests at home, it has sought to counter accusations from the US that it is reconstituting its nuclear activities. Officials has stated that it is halted enrichment activities domestically and has indicated it is ready for dialogue with the west.