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Ex-President Trump has stated he would step in in the Islamic Republic if its regime use lethal force against demonstrators, leading to warnings from Iran's leadership that any involvement from Washington would violate a critical boundary.

A Social Media Statement Ignites Diplomatic Strain

In a social media post on Friday, the former president declared 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 detailing what that would involve in reality.

Protests Enter the Sixth Day Against a Backdrop of Financial Crisis

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their latest phase, constituting the largest in recent memory. The present demonstrations were triggered by an steep fall in the Iranian rial on Sunday, with its worth dropping to about 1.4m to the US dollar, further exacerbating an existing financial crisis.

Seven people have been lost their lives, including a volunteer for the paramilitary organization. Footage have shown law enforcement armed with shotguns, with the noise of discharges audible in the recordings.

Iranian Officials Deliver Stark Warnings

Addressing Trump’s threat, an official, adviser to the country's highest authority, warned that the nation's sovereignty were a “definitive boundary, not a subject for online provocations”.

“Any external involvement nearing our national security on pretexts will be severed with a swift consequence,” Shamkhani posted.

Another leader, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, claimed the US and Israel of being involved in the demonstrations, a frequent accusation by officials when addressing protests.

“Trump must realize that foreign interference in this domestic matter will lead to turmoil in the entire area and the destruction of US assets,” he wrote. “US citizens must know that the former president is the one that started this adventure, and they should be concerned for the security of their soldiers.”

Background of Conflict and Protest Nature

Tehran has vowed to strike foreign forces based in the region in the past, and in June it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following the American attacks on related infrastructure.

The current protests have occurred in Tehran but have also extended to other urban centers, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have shuttered businesses in protest, and youth have taken over university grounds. Though financial hardship are the main issue, demonstrators have also chanted calls for change and criticized what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Approach Changes

The nation's leader, Masoud Pezeshkian, first called for demonstration organizers, adopting a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the previous unrest, which were met with force. He stated that he had instructed the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The fatalities of protesters, though, may indicate that officials are taking a harder line as they address the unrest as they persist. A communiqué from the powerful military force on recently stated that it would take a harsh line against any external involvement or “internal strife” in the country.

As Iranian authorities grapple with domestic dissent, it has sought to counter accusations from the United States that it is reconstituting its nuclear programme. Iran has claimed that it is ceased such work anywhere in the country and has indicated it is willing to engage in negotiations with the international community.