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Donald Trump has warned of involvement in the Islamic Republic should its authorities use lethal force against protesters, resulting in warnings from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any involvement from Washington would violate a critical boundary.

A Public Post Escalates Tensions

Via a social media post on recently, the former president said that if the country were to fire upon protesters, the US would “intervene on their behalf”. He added, “we are prepared to act,” without detailing what that would involve in reality.

Unrest Continue into the Next Phase Against a Backdrop of Economic Crisis

Public unrest are now in their second week, constituting the biggest in recent memory. The current unrest were triggered by an unprecedented decline in the Iranian rial on recently, with its worth plummeting to about a record depreciation, worsening an existing financial crisis.

Several citizens have been reported killed, including a volunteer for the paramilitary organization. Footage circulate showing officials armed with firearms, with the audio of gunfire heard in the background.

Tehran's Leaders Deliver Stark Responses

Addressing Trump’s threat, an official, counselor for the country's highest authority, cautioned that the nation's sovereignty were a “non-negotiable limit, not a subject for adventurist tweets”.

“Any external involvement approaching our national security on pretexts will be met with a swift consequence,” Shamkhani wrote.

Another senior Iranian official, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, accused the US and Israel of being involved in the demonstrations, a typical response by the government when addressing protests.

“Washington needs to know that US intervention in this domestic matter will lead to destabilisation of the Middle East and the destruction of American interests,” the official declared. “The public must know that the former president is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should consider the well-being of their troops.”

Background of Tensions and Protest Nature

The nation has previously warned against American soldiers stationed in the Middle East in the past, and in recent months it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar after the American attacks on its nuclear facilities.

The current protests have been centered in Tehran but have also extended to other cities, such as Isfahan. Shopkeepers have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and activists have gathered on university grounds. Though financial hardship are the primary complaint, protesters have also voiced calls for change and decried what they said was failures by officials.

Official Response Shifts

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited protest leaders, taking a softer stance than authorities did during the previous unrest, which were put down harshly. The president noted that he had ordered the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The loss of life of protesters, could, suggest that officials are becoming more forceful against the unrest as they persist. A communiqué from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on recently stated that it would take a harsh line against any foreign interference or “unrest” in the country.

As the government grapple with internal challenges, it has attempted to refute allegations from the United States that it is reconstituting its nuclear programme. Tehran has claimed that it is halted enrichment activities domestically and has expressed it is ready for dialogue with the international community.