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Donald Trump has warned of involvement in Iran if its authorities use lethal force against protesters, resulting in warnings from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any US intervention would cross a “red line”.

A Social Media Declaration Escalates Tensions

In a public declaration on Friday, the former president declared that if Iran were to use deadly force against protesters, the America would “come to their rescue”. He further stated, “our response is imminent,” without detailing what that could entail in actual terms.

Demonstrations Continue into the Sixth Day Against a Backdrop of Economic Turmoil

Protests in Iran are now in their second week, constituting the largest in several years. The current unrest were sparked by an steep fall in the national currency on recently, with its worth dropping to about a record depreciation, intensifying an already beleaguered economy.

Seven people have been lost their lives, including a member of the paramilitary organization. Videos reportedly show law enforcement armed with shotguns, with the noise of discharges present in the background.

Iranian Officials Deliver Strong Rebukes

Addressing Trump’s threat, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the supreme leader, warned that Iran’s national security were a “definitive boundary, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any external involvement nearing Iran security on any excuse will be met with a forceful retaliation,” he said.

A separate high-ranking figure, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the foreign powers of orchestrating the demonstrations, a frequent accusation by the government in response to domestic dissent.

“The US should understand that US intervention in this internal issue will lead to instability across the entire area and the damage to American interests,” he stated. “US citizens must know that the former president is the one that started this adventure, and they should consider the safety of their military personnel.”

Recent History of Conflict and Demonstration Nature

Tehran 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 US struck its nuclear facilities.

The present unrest have occurred in the capital but have also reached other urban centers, such as a major city. Business owners have shuttered businesses in solidarity, and youth have gathered on university grounds. While economic conditions are the main issue, demonstrators have also voiced calls for change and decried what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Stance Changes

The head of state, the president, offered talks with demonstration organizers, taking a more conciliatory tone than the government did during the previous unrest, which were met with force. He stated that he had instructed the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, could, suggest that officials are taking a harder line against the unrest as they continue. A communiqué from the state security apparatus on recently stated that it would respond forcefully against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

As Tehran deal with protests at home, it has attempted to refute claims from the United States that it is reviving its atomic ambitions. Iran has stated that it is halted enrichment activities at present and has expressed it is open for talks with the west.