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The former president has threatened to intervene in the Islamic Republic should its government use lethal force against protesters, prompting warnings from senior Iranian officials that any US intervention would violate a critical boundary.

An Online Statement Escalates Tensions

In a public declaration on recently, the former president declared that if Iran were to shoot and kill demonstrators, the United States would “come to their rescue”. He further stated, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without detailing what that might mean in practice.

Protests Enter the Next Phase Amid Financial Turmoil

Protests in Iran are now in their sixth day, marking the biggest in several years. The ongoing protests were triggered by an sharp drop in the Iranian rial on Sunday, with its value plummeting to about a historic low, worsening an already beleaguered economy.

Seven people have been lost their lives, among them a volunteer for the state-affiliated group. Videos reportedly show officials carrying shotguns, with the sound of shooting heard in the background.

Iranian Authorities Issue Strong Warnings

In response to the intervention warning, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the country's highest authority, stated that Iran’s national security were a “definitive boundary, not a subject for adventurist tweets”.

“Any foreign interference nearing the country's stability on pretexts will be severed with a regret-inducing response,” he wrote.

Another senior Iranian official, Ali Larijani, alleged the foreign powers of having a hand in the unrest, a frequent accusation by Tehran when addressing protests.

“The US should understand that foreign interference in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the whole region and the destruction of Washington's stakes,” 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 soldiers.”

Context of Tensions and Demonstration Scale

Iran has previously warned against American soldiers deployed in the Middle East in the past, and in June it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following the US struck related infrastructure.

The ongoing demonstrations have taken place in the capital but have also reached other urban centers, such as Isfahan. Business owners have shuttered businesses in protest, and youth have gathered on university grounds. While economic conditions are the primary complaint, demonstrators have also chanted calls for change and decried what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Government Response Evolves

The Iranian president, the president, first called for representatives, taking a more conciliatory tone than the government did during the 2022 protests, which were violently suppressed. Pezeshkian said that he had ordered the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The fatalities of demonstrators, however, suggest that authorities are adopting a tougher stance against the unrest as they continue. A communiqué from the state security apparatus on Monday stated that it would take a harsh line against any outside meddling or “sedition” in the country.

As Tehran face domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off allegations from the US that it is reviving its nuclear activities. Iran has stated that it is halted enrichment activities at present and has signaled it is open for dialogue with the international community.