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The former president has threatened to intervene in the Islamic Republic if its regime kill protesters, resulting in warnings from senior Iranian officials that any involvement from Washington would overstep a definitive limit.

A Public Post Fuels Diplomatic Strain

In a social media post on recently, the former president stated that if the country were to fire upon demonstrators, the US would “step in to help”. He noted, “we are prepared to act,” without explaining what that would involve in actual terms.

Protests Continue into the Sixth Day Amid Financial Turmoil

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their second week, marking the biggest since 2022. The current unrest were triggered by an unprecedented decline in the country's money on Sunday, with its worth falling to about a historic low, further exacerbating an already beleaguered economy.

Multiple individuals have been confirmed dead, including a volunteer for the paramilitary organization. Recordings circulate showing officials armed with shotguns, with the sound of shooting audible in the background.

Iranian Authorities Issue Stark Rebukes

Addressing the statement, a top adviser, counselor for the country's highest authority, stated that Iran’s national security were a “non-negotiable limit, not fodder for adventurist tweets”.

“Any intervening hand approaching the country's stability on pretexts will be met with a regret-inducing response,” he posted.

A separate high-ranking figure, Ali Larijani, accused the foreign powers of being involved in the demonstrations, a common refrain by officials when addressing domestic dissent.

“Washington needs to know that American involvement in this domestic matter will lead to turmoil in the entire area and the destruction of American interests,” the official wrote. “The American people must know that the former president is the one that began this escalation, and they should be concerned for the well-being of their troops.”

Background of Conflict and Demonstration Scope

Tehran has previously warned against foreign forces deployed in the region in the past, and in recent months it launched strikes on a facility in the Gulf after the US struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The present unrest have been centered in the capital but have also spread to other urban centers, such as Isfahan. Shopkeepers have gone on strike in solidarity, and students have taken over campuses. While the currency crisis are the main issue, protesters have also chanted political demands and condemned what they said was graft and poor governance.

Presidential Approach Changes

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, offered talks with representatives, taking a more conciliatory tone than authorities did during the previous unrest, which were violently suppressed. He noted that he had directed the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The fatalities of protesters, however, suggest that the state are becoming more forceful as they address the unrest as they continue. A statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on Monday stated that it would respond forcefully against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

As Iranian authorities face domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off allegations from the US that it is reviving its nuclear programme. Tehran has claimed that it is ceased such work anywhere in the country and has expressed it is open for negotiations with the international community.