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Ex-President Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran if its government use lethal force against demonstrators, prompting warnings from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any American interference would cross a “red line”.

A Public Statement Escalates Tensions

Via a public declaration on recently, the former president said that if the country were to shoot and kill demonstrators, the United States would “intervene on their behalf”. He added, “we are prepared to act,” without explaining what that might mean in practice.

Demonstrations Enter the Next Phase Amid Financial Crisis

Demonstrations across the nation are now in their second week, marking the biggest since 2022. The current unrest were triggered by an sharp drop in the Iranian rial on Sunday, with its worth falling to about a record depreciation, further exacerbating an precarious economic situation.

Seven people have been confirmed dead, including a volunteer for the paramilitary organization. Footage have shown security forces carrying shotguns, with the audio of gunfire audible in the background.

Tehran's Authorities Issue Strong Warnings

Reacting to Trump’s threat, an official, adviser to the country's highest authority, stated that Iran’s national security were a “non-negotiable limit, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any external involvement targeting our national security on pretexts will be met with a regret-inducing response,” he wrote.

A separate high-ranking figure, the secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, alleged the foreign powers of being involved in the protests, a typical response by Tehran in response to protests.

“The US should understand that foreign interference in this national affair will lead to turmoil in the entire area and the harm to US assets,” the official stated. “The American people must know that the former president is the one that began this escalation, and they should consider the security of their troops.”

Recent History of Strain and Protest Scale

Iran has threatened to target foreign forces stationed in the Middle East in the past, and in June it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following the American attacks on related infrastructure.

The ongoing demonstrations have been centered in Tehran but have also spread to other cities, such as a major city. Business owners have shuttered businesses in protest, and youth have gathered on university grounds. While economic conditions are the central grievance, protesters have also voiced anti-government slogans and criticized what they said was failures by officials.

Government Stance Shifts

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, first called for demonstration organizers, taking a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the previous unrest, which were violently suppressed. Pezeshkian said that he had directed the government to listen to the protesters’ “legitimate demands”.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, however, could signal that authorities are taking a harder line as they address the unrest as they persist. A communiqué from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on Monday stated that it would take a harsh line against any outside meddling or “internal strife” in the country.

While Tehran grapple with protests at home, it has sought to counter accusations from the US that it is reconstituting its atomic ambitions. Tehran has said that it is halted enrichment activities anywhere in the country and has signaled it is open for dialogue with the international community.