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Ex-President Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran if its government use lethal force against demonstrators, leading to warnings from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any US intervention would cross a “red line”.

A Public Declaration Escalates Tensions

Through a social media post on Friday, the former president stated that if the country were to shoot and kill demonstrators, the US would “intervene on their behalf”. He added, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without clarifying what that might mean in reality.

Demonstrations Continue into the New Week Amid Economic Turmoil

Public unrest are now in their sixth day, representing the most significant in recent memory. The ongoing protests were triggered by an unprecedented decline in the country's money on recently, with its value falling to about a record depreciation, further exacerbating an precarious economic situation.

Several citizens have been confirmed dead, among them a volunteer for the Basij security force. Videos have shown officials armed with shotguns, with the audio of gunfire heard in the recordings.

National Leaders Issue Stark Warnings

Addressing Trump’s threat, an official, adviser to the country's highest authority, cautioned that the nation's sovereignty were a “red line, not fodder for online provocations”.

“Any foreign interference targeting Iran security on false pretenses will be cut off with a swift consequence,” the official said.

Another leader, a key security official, accused the outside actors of being involved in the demonstrations, a common refrain by Tehran in response to protests.

“Trump must realize that US intervention in this domestic matter will lead to instability across the entire area and the damage to Washington's stakes,” the official declared. “US citizens must know that the former president is the one that started this adventure, and they should pay attention to the well-being of their troops.”

Recent History of Tensions and Demonstration Nature

The nation has previously warned against foreign forces stationed in the Middle East in the before, and in recent months it attacked a facility in the Gulf following the American attacks on related infrastructure.

The present unrest have been centered in Tehran but have also reached other cities, such as a major city. Merchants have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and youth have gathered on university grounds. Though financial hardship are the primary complaint, protesters have also voiced political demands and criticized what they said was failures by officials.

Presidential Stance Evolves

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited representatives, adopting a more conciliatory tone than the government did during the previous unrest, which were met with force. He noted that he had instructed the government to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The fatalities of protesters, though, suggest that the state are taking a harder line as they address the protests as they continue. A statement from the state security apparatus on Monday warned that it would act decisively against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

As the government deal with domestic dissent, it has attempted to refute accusations from the United States that it is reviving its nuclear activities. Iran has said that it is halted enrichment activities at present and has signaled it is ready for negotiations with the west.