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Ex-President Trump has warned of involvement in Iran should its authorities use lethal force against protesters, leading to admonishments from Iran's leadership that any American interference would cross a “red line”.

A Social Media Declaration Ignites Diplomatic Strain

Via a public declaration on recently, Trump declared that if the country were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the US would “come to their rescue”. He noted, “our response is imminent,” without explaining what that could entail in actual terms.

Protests Enter the Next Phase Amid Financial Turmoil

Protests in Iran are now in their latest phase, representing the most significant since 2022. The ongoing protests were triggered by an steep fall in the country's money on Sunday, with its value plummeting to about 1.4m to the US dollar, further exacerbating an precarious economic situation.

Seven people have been confirmed dead, including a member of the paramilitary organization. Recordings reportedly show officials carrying firearms, with the noise of discharges present in the recordings.

Iranian Officials Deliver Stark Rebukes

Reacting to the statement, a top adviser, adviser to the supreme leader, stated that internal matters were a “definitive boundary, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any external involvement nearing the country's stability on false pretenses will be cut off with a forceful retaliation,” Shamkhani posted.

A separate high-ranking figure, a key security official, alleged the foreign powers of having a hand in the protests, a common refrain by Tehran in response to protests.

“The US should understand that foreign interference in this national affair will lead to destabilisation of the entire area and the harm to American interests,” he stated. “The public must know that the former president is the one that started this adventure, and they should be concerned for the safety of their soldiers.”

Context of Tensions and Protest Nature

Tehran has previously warned against US troops deployed in the Middle East in the past, and in June it attacked a facility in the Gulf after the US struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The current protests have occurred in the capital but have also spread to other urban centers, such as a major city. Business owners have closed their stores in protest, and youth have gathered on university grounds. Though financial hardship are the main issue, demonstrators have also chanted political demands and decried what they said was graft and poor governance.

Official Approach Evolves

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited representatives, adopting a less confrontational approach than the government did during the 2022 protests, which were put down harshly. The president noted that he had directed the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The recent deaths of protesters, could, could signal that officials are becoming more forceful against the unrest as they continue. A announcement from the state security apparatus on recently cautioned that it would act decisively against any outside meddling or “unrest” in the country.

While Tehran grapple with internal challenges, it has tried to stave off claims from the US that it is reconstituting its atomic ambitions. Officials has stated that it is halted enrichment activities anywhere in the country and has indicated it is ready for dialogue with the international community.