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Ex-President Trump has warned of involvement in Iran if its authorities harm demonstrators, prompting warnings from senior Iranian officials that any US intervention would cross a “red line”.

A Social Media Post Fuels Diplomatic Strain

In a social media post on Friday, the former president stated that if the country were to use deadly force against protesters, the United States would “step in to help”. He further stated, “we are prepared to act,” without explaining what that might mean in actual terms.

Unrest Enter the New Week Amid Economic Strain

Public unrest are now in their second week, constituting the biggest in several years. The ongoing protests were catalyzed by an steep fall in the national currency on recently, with its value plummeting to about a historic low, worsening an already beleaguered economy.

Several citizens have been reported killed, among them a volunteer for the state-affiliated group. Videos have shown law enforcement carrying firearms, with the audio of gunfire present in the video.

National Authorities Deliver Strong Rebukes

Reacting to the intervention warning, Ali Shamkhani, adviser to the supreme leader, cautioned that the nation's sovereignty were a “non-negotiable limit, not a subject for reckless social media posts”.

“Any foreign interference approaching Iran security on pretexts will be severed with a swift consequence,” the official posted.

A separate high-ranking figure, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the outside actors of being involved in the protests, a frequent accusation by officials when addressing protests.

“Washington needs to know that US intervention in this domestic matter will lead to destabilisation of the whole region and the destruction of Washington's stakes,” the official declared. “The American people must know that the former president is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should pay attention to the safety of their soldiers.”

Background of Tensions and Protest Scale

The nation has vowed to strike US troops based in the region in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following the American attacks on related infrastructure.

The ongoing demonstrations have been centered in the capital but have also extended to other cities, such as a major city. Business owners have gone on strike in solidarity, and activists have gathered on campuses. Though the currency crisis are the primary complaint, protesters have also voiced political demands and criticized what they said was graft and poor governance.

Government Approach Evolves

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, initially invited protest leaders, taking a softer stance than the government did during the previous unrest, which were put down harshly. He said that he had instructed the government to listen to the demonstrators' core grievances.

The fatalities of demonstrators, however, could signal that authorities are adopting a tougher stance as they address the protests as they persist. A announcement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on recently cautioned that it would act decisively against any outside meddling or “unrest” in the country.

While Iranian authorities face domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off accusations from the US that it is rebuilding its atomic ambitions. Iran has stated that it is ceased such work at present and has expressed it is willing to engage in talks with the west.