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Ex-President Trump has stated he would step in in Iran if its authorities use lethal force against demonstrators, resulting in warnings from senior Iranian officials that any American interference would cross a “red line”.

A Public Statement Escalates Tensions

In a public declaration on recently, Trump stated that if Iran were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the United States would “step in to help”. He further stated, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without explaining what that would involve in reality.

Protests Enter the Sixth Day Amid Financial Strain

Public unrest are now in their latest phase, marking the biggest in several years. The ongoing protests were triggered by an steep fall in the Iranian rial on recently, with its worth falling to about a record depreciation, intensifying an precarious economic situation.

Seven people have been confirmed dead, among them a member of the state-affiliated group. Videos reportedly show officials armed with shotguns, with the sound of shooting heard in the video.

Iranian Authorities Deliver Firm Responses

Addressing the intervention warning, an official, adviser to the country's highest authority, warned that the nation's sovereignty were a “red line, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any intervening hand nearing our national security on pretexts will be cut off with a swift consequence,” Shamkhani said.

Another leader, Ali Larijani, accused the foreign powers of having a hand in the demonstrations, a common refrain by officials in response to protests.

“Trump must realize that foreign interference in this internal issue will lead to instability across the Middle East and the damage to American interests,” he wrote. “The public must know that the former president is the one that started this adventure, and they should pay attention to the well-being of their soldiers.”

Context of Strain and Demonstration Scope

The nation has previously warned against foreign forces stationed in the region in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on a facility in Qatar following the US struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The present unrest have occurred in the capital but have also spread to other urban centers, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have gone on strike in solidarity, and youth have taken over university grounds. Though economic conditions are the central grievance, protesters have also chanted calls for change and condemned what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Presidential Approach Shifts

The head of state, the president, first called for representatives, taking a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the earlier demonstrations, which were put down harshly. Pezeshkian said that he had ordered the government to listen to the demonstrators' core grievances.

The fatalities of protesters, though, may indicate that authorities are adopting a tougher stance against the protests as they continue. A communiqué from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on recently warned that it would take a harsh line against any foreign interference or “internal strife” in the country.

As Iranian authorities grapple with domestic dissent, it has attempted to refute allegations from the US that it is rebuilding its nuclear programme. Iran has stated that it is ceased such work anywhere in the country and has expressed it is open for negotiations with the international community.