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Ex-President Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran should its regime harm demonstrators, resulting in admonishments from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any involvement from Washington would overstep a definitive limit.

A Public Declaration Fuels Diplomatic Strain

Through a social media post on recently, the former president said that if Iran were to shoot and kill demonstrators, the United States would “intervene on their behalf”. He further stated, “our response is imminent,” without clarifying what that could entail in actual terms.

Demonstrations Continue into the New Week Amid Economic Crisis

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their latest phase, marking the biggest in recent memory. The present demonstrations were sparked by an unprecedented decline in the national currency on Sunday, with its worth plummeting to about a historic low, intensifying an existing financial crisis.

Seven people have been confirmed dead, among them a member of the paramilitary organization. Recordings circulate showing officials carrying firearms, with the audio of gunfire present in the video.

Iranian Officials Deliver Firm Responses

Reacting to Trump’s threat, an official, counselor for the country's highest authority, cautioned that internal matters were a “red line, not material for online provocations”.

“Any intervening hand targeting Iran security on false pretenses will be met with a regret-inducing response,” he said.

Another leader, a key security official, claimed the outside actors of having a hand in the demonstrations, a frequent accusation by officials in response to domestic dissent.

“Washington needs to know that American involvement in this internal issue will lead to instability across the whole region and the damage to US assets,” the official stated. “The public 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 Protest Nature

Iran has previously warned against American soldiers stationed 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 ongoing demonstrations have been centered in the capital but have also reached other cities, such as a major city. Business owners have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and students have gathered on university grounds. While economic conditions are the main issue, protesters have also voiced anti-government slogans and condemned what they said was failures by officials.

Government Approach Evolves

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, offered talks with representatives, adopting a less confrontational approach than the government did during the earlier demonstrations, which were violently suppressed. Pezeshkian noted that he had ordered the administration to listen to the demonstrators' core grievances.

The loss of life of demonstrators, though, could signal that officials are becoming more forceful as they address the unrest as they persist. A communiqué from the powerful military force on Monday warned that it would respond forcefully against any outside meddling or “internal strife” in the country.

As the government face internal challenges, it has tried to stave off accusations from the United States that it is reviving its nuclear programme. Iran has said that it is halted enrichment activities domestically and has signaled it is open for negotiations with the international community.