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Donald Trump has threatened to intervene in the Islamic Republic should its regime kill protesters, prompting cautionary statements from Iran's leadership that any involvement from Washington would violate a critical boundary.

A Public Statement Fuels Tensions

Via a public declaration on Friday, Trump declared that if Iran were to fire upon protesters, the US would “intervene on their behalf”. He noted, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without clarifying what that could entail in practice.

Unrest Enter the Next Phase Against a Backdrop of Financial Turmoil

Public unrest are now in their latest phase, representing the most significant since 2022. The current unrest were sparked by an sharp drop in the Iranian rial on Sunday, with its worth falling to about a record depreciation, further exacerbating an already beleaguered economy.

Seven people have been reported killed, including a volunteer for the state-affiliated group. Footage circulate showing security forces carrying shotguns, with the sound of shooting present in the video.

Tehran's Authorities Issue Stark Rebukes

In response to the intervention warning, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the country's highest authority, stated that the nation's sovereignty were a “definitive boundary, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any intervening hand approaching the country's stability on pretexts will be severed with a swift consequence,” Shamkhani posted.

Another leader, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the outside actors of orchestrating the demonstrations, a common refrain by the government in response to protests.

“Trump must realize that American involvement in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the entire area and the harm to US assets,” he wrote. “The public must know that Trump is the one that began this escalation, and they should consider the well-being of their troops.”

Recent History of Tensions and Demonstration Scope

Iran has previously warned against US troops deployed in the region in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on a facility in Qatar following the American attacks on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The current protests have taken place in the capital but have also spread to other urban centers, such as Isfahan. Business owners have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and youth have gathered on university grounds. While financial hardship are the central grievance, demonstrators have also voiced calls for change and criticized what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Stance Changes

The head of state, the president, initially invited representatives, taking a softer stance than authorities did during the previous unrest, which were put down harshly. Pezeshkian stated that he had instructed the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, could, may indicate that authorities are taking a harder line as they address the protests as they continue. A communiqué from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on recently stated that it would act decisively against any external involvement or “sedition” in the country.

While Tehran face domestic dissent, it has attempted to refute allegations from the US that it is reconstituting its atomic ambitions. Iran has said that it is halted enrichment activities anywhere in the country and has expressed it is ready for talks with the international community.