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The former president has stated he would step in in Iran if its regime kill protesters, prompting cautionary statements from Iran's leadership that any US intervention would overstep a definitive limit.

A Social Media Post Escalates Tensions

Through a public declaration on Friday, the former president declared that if the country were to fire upon 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 could entail in reality.

Demonstrations Enter the Next Phase Amid Economic Crisis

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their second week, representing the biggest in several years. The present demonstrations were sparked by an unprecedented decline in the national currency on recently, with its worth falling to about 1.4m to the US dollar, worsening an precarious economic situation.

Multiple individuals have been reported killed, among them a member of the paramilitary organization. Footage have shown security forces carrying shotguns, with the audio of gunfire audible in the video.

Iranian Authorities Issue Strong Rebukes

In response to the statement, Ali Shamkhani, counselor for the supreme leader, warned that Iran’s national security were a “non-negotiable limit, not a subject for online provocations”.

“Any intervening hand approaching the country's stability on any excuse will be severed with a forceful retaliation,” the official wrote.

Another leader, a key security official, accused the outside actors of being involved in the protests, a common refrain by Tehran in response to protests.

“Washington needs to know that foreign interference in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the entire area and the destruction of Washington's stakes,” the official wrote. “The public must know that Trump is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should consider the security of their troops.”

Recent History of Strain and Protest Scale

Iran has threatened to target foreign forces based in the Middle East in the before, and in June it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in the Gulf following the US struck related infrastructure.

The current protests have occurred in Tehran but have also reached other cities, such as a major city. Merchants have closed their stores in solidarity, and students have gathered on university grounds. While financial hardship are the main issue, protesters have also chanted anti-government slogans and condemned what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Approach Changes

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, first called for representatives, taking a more conciliatory tone than the government did during the 2022 protests, which were met with force. The president said that he had ordered the government to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, could, may indicate that officials are becoming more forceful against the unrest as they persist. A announcement from the state security apparatus on recently cautioned that it would respond forcefully against any foreign interference or “sedition” in the country.

As Tehran grapple with domestic dissent, it has tried to stave off accusations from the United States that it is reviving its atomic ambitions. Iran has said that it is ceased such work anywhere in the country and has expressed it is open for negotiations with the west.