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Donald Trump has warned of involvement in Iran should its authorities use lethal force against protesters, prompting warnings from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any involvement from Washington would overstep a definitive limit.

An Online Post Ignites Tensions

In a social media post on Friday, the former president said that if Iran were to fire upon protesters, the United States would “intervene on their behalf”. He noted, “we are prepared to act,” without detailing what that might mean in reality.

Demonstrations Enter the New Week Against a Backdrop of Financial Turmoil

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their latest phase, constituting the largest since 2022. The present demonstrations were sparked by an unprecedented decline in the country's money on Sunday, with its worth plummeting to about 1.4m to the US dollar, further exacerbating an precarious economic situation.

Seven people have been lost their lives, including a volunteer for the state-affiliated group. Videos circulate showing law enforcement armed with shotguns, with the noise of discharges present in the background.

National Leaders Deliver Strong Warnings

Addressing Trump’s threat, Ali Shamkhani, adviser to the supreme leader, warned that internal matters were a “definitive boundary, not fodder for adventurist tweets”.

“Any foreign interference approaching the country's stability on false pretenses will be severed with a regret-inducing response,” Shamkhani wrote.

Another senior Iranian official, Ali Larijani, claimed the foreign powers of orchestrating the demonstrations, a typical response by the government in response to domestic dissent.

“Trump must realize that foreign interference in this domestic matter will lead to turmoil in the entire area and the harm to US assets,” the official wrote. “The public must know that Trump is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should pay attention to the security of their military personnel.”

Recent History of Conflict and Demonstration Nature

Tehran has threatened to target American soldiers based in the region in the past, and in June it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar after the US struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The present unrest have taken place in the capital but have also spread to other urban centers, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and students have taken over campuses. While economic conditions are the central grievance, demonstrators have also voiced anti-government slogans and decried what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Approach Evolves

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, offered talks with demonstration organizers, taking a less confrontational approach than the government did during the earlier demonstrations, which were met with force. Pezeshkian said that he had directed the government to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The loss of life of protesters, however, suggest that authorities are adopting a tougher stance against the protests as they persist. A announcement from the powerful military force on recently cautioned that it would take a harsh line against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

As Iranian authorities deal with domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off accusations from the US that it is reviving its nuclear activities. Tehran has stated that it is no longer enriching uranium anywhere in the country and has expressed it is open for talks with the international community.