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Ex-President Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran should its regime use lethal force against demonstrators, leading to cautionary statements from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any involvement from Washington would cross a “red line”.

A Social Media Declaration Ignites Diplomatic Strain

Through a online statement on recently, the former president said that if Iran were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the United States would “intervene on their behalf”. He added, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without explaining what that could entail in actual terms.

Protests Continue into the New Week Amid Financial Strain

Public unrest are now in their latest phase, marking the biggest in recent memory. The ongoing protests were triggered by an sharp drop in the country's money on Sunday, with its value plummeting to about a record depreciation, worsening an precarious economic situation.

Seven people have been reported killed, including a member of the Basij security force. Footage have shown officials carrying shotguns, with the audio of gunfire audible in the recordings.

National Leaders Issue Stark Warnings

In response to Trump’s threat, an official, counselor for the supreme leader, warned that the nation's sovereignty were a “red line, not material for adventurist tweets”.

“Any external involvement nearing Iran security on false pretenses will be met with a forceful retaliation,” he posted.

Another senior Iranian official, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the outside actors of being involved in the demonstrations, a frequent accusation by Tehran in response to domestic dissent.

“Trump must realize that foreign interference in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the whole region and the damage to American interests,” the official wrote. “US citizens must know that the former president is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should be concerned for the safety of their military personnel.”

Recent History of Conflict and Protest Nature

The nation has threatened to target foreign forces stationed in the region in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on a facility in Qatar following the American attacks on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The ongoing demonstrations have occurred in Tehran but have also reached other urban centers, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have closed their stores in protest, and students have gathered on university grounds. Though financial hardship are the central grievance, demonstrators have also chanted political demands and criticized what they said was graft and poor governance.

Official Approach Evolves

The head of state, the president, first called for representatives, adopting a softer stance than authorities did during the earlier demonstrations, which were met with force. He said that he had ordered the government to listen to the demonstrators' core grievances.

The loss of life of demonstrators, could, could signal that authorities are taking a harder line as they address the unrest as they persist. A announcement from the powerful military force on Monday cautioned that it would take a harsh line against any outside meddling or “internal strife” in the country.

While Iranian authorities face internal challenges, it has sought to counter allegations from the United States that it is reviving its nuclear programme. Officials has claimed that it is halted enrichment activities at present and has expressed it is ready for talks with the international community.