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Donald Trump has stated he would step in in the Islamic Republic should its authorities use lethal force against demonstrators, leading to admonishments from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any US intervention would overstep a definitive limit.

A Social Media Statement Escalates Diplomatic Strain

Via a social media post on recently, Trump declared that if Iran were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the America would “intervene on their behalf”. He added, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without detailing what that could entail in practice.

Demonstrations Continue into the Sixth Day Amid Financial Crisis

Protests in Iran are now in their second week, marking the biggest in several years. The current unrest were sparked by an steep fall in the country's money on recently, with its value falling to about a record depreciation, worsening an precarious economic situation.

Several citizens have been lost their lives, among them a member of the paramilitary organization. Footage reportedly show officials carrying shotguns, with the noise of discharges heard in the recordings.

Tehran's Authorities Issue Strong Warnings

Addressing the statement, an official, adviser to the supreme leader, warned that Iran’s national security were a “definitive boundary, not material for online provocations”.

“Any foreign interference targeting our national security on pretexts will be met with a regret-inducing response,” he posted.

Another leader, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the foreign powers of being involved in the demonstrations, a frequent accusation by the government when addressing domestic dissent.

“Trump must realize that American involvement in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the whole region and the damage to Washington's stakes,” he wrote. “The public must know that Trump is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should be concerned for the safety of their troops.”

Background of Tensions and Protest Nature

Iran has previously warned against US troops deployed in the region in the before, and in recent months it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in the Gulf following the US struck its nuclear facilities.

The current protests have occurred in the capital but have also spread to other cities, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and youth have taken over university grounds. While financial hardship are the primary complaint, demonstrators have also chanted calls for change and condemned what they said was failures by officials.

Government Response Changes

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited protest leaders, adopting a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the earlier demonstrations, which were put down harshly. The president noted that he had instructed the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, could, may indicate that officials are taking a harder line against the unrest as they continue. A communiqué from the powerful military force on recently cautioned that it would respond forcefully against any outside meddling or “unrest” in the country.

While Tehran face domestic dissent, it has sought to counter allegations from the US that it is rebuilding its atomic ambitions. Officials has said that it is no longer enriching uranium domestically and has indicated it is open for talks with the west.