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Donald Trump has stated he would step in in the Islamic Republic if its authorities kill protesters, prompting warnings from Iran's leadership that any US intervention would overstep a definitive limit.

A Public Statement Escalates Diplomatic Strain

In a online statement on Friday, the former president declared that if the country were to use deadly force against protesters, the America would “intervene on their behalf”. He further stated, “we are prepared to act,” without detailing what that might mean in actual terms.

Unrest Enter the Next Phase Amid Financial Crisis

Public unrest are now in their latest phase, representing the biggest since 2022. The current unrest were sparked by an unprecedented decline in the national currency on Sunday, with its worth dropping to about 1.4m to the US dollar, further exacerbating an existing financial crisis.

Multiple individuals have been reported killed, including a member of the state-affiliated group. Footage reportedly show security forces armed with shotguns, with the noise of discharges audible in the video.

Iranian Leaders Issue Stark Responses

Addressing the statement, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the supreme leader, warned that internal matters were a “non-negotiable limit, not material for online provocations”.

“Any intervening hand targeting our national security on false pretenses will be severed with a swift consequence,” the official posted.

Another leader, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, claimed the outside actors of having a hand in the unrest, a frequent accusation by the government when addressing protests.

“Trump must realize that US intervention in this internal issue will lead to destabilisation of the Middle East and the harm to American interests,” he stated. “US citizens must know that Trump is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should be concerned for the well-being of their troops.”

Recent History of Conflict and Protest Scope

Iran has vowed to strike American soldiers stationed in the region in the before, and in June it attacked a facility in Qatar following the US struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The ongoing demonstrations have taken place in Tehran but have also reached other cities, such as a major city. Business owners have closed their stores in solidarity, and students have gathered on university grounds. While economic conditions are the central grievance, protesters have also voiced political demands and criticized what they said was failures by officials.

Presidential Response Changes

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, first called for demonstration organizers, taking a less confrontational approach than the government did during the earlier demonstrations, which were put down harshly. The president said that he had directed the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The fatalities of demonstrators, however, may indicate that authorities are adopting a tougher stance as they address the unrest as they continue. A communiqué from the powerful military force on recently cautioned that it would take a harsh line against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

While the government grapple with domestic dissent, it has sought to counter claims from the US that it is reviving its atomic ambitions. Tehran has claimed that it is ceased such work domestically and has signaled it is open for talks with the international community.