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The former president has warned of involvement in the Islamic Republic if its government kill protesters, prompting warnings from Iran's leadership that any US intervention would violate a critical boundary.

A Public Statement Ignites Diplomatic Strain

Through a social media post on recently, the former president stated that if Iran were to use deadly force against demonstrators, the America would “come to their rescue”. He further stated, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without clarifying what that would involve in actual terms.

Demonstrations Continue into the Next Phase Against a Backdrop of Financial Turmoil

Public unrest are now in their latest phase, constituting the most significant since 2022. The present demonstrations were catalyzed by an unprecedented decline in the national currency on Sunday, with its value plummeting to about a historic low, further exacerbating an already beleaguered economy.

Multiple individuals have been confirmed dead, including a volunteer for the paramilitary organization. Videos circulate showing security forces carrying firearms, with the sound of shooting audible in the recordings.

Iranian Leaders Issue Strong Rebukes

Reacting to the statement, an official, adviser to the country's highest authority, cautioned that the nation's sovereignty were a “red line, not fodder for reckless social media posts”.

“Any intervening hand approaching the country's stability on false pretenses will be severed with a forceful retaliation,” he wrote.

A separate high-ranking figure, a key security official, accused the outside actors of orchestrating the demonstrations, a typical response by officials when addressing protests.

“Washington needs to know that American involvement in this domestic matter will lead to destabilisation of the Middle East and the damage to Washington's stakes,” Larijani stated. “The American people must know that the former president is the one that initiated this provocation, and they should be concerned for the security of their troops.”

Background of Strain and Protest Nature

Iran has previously warned against US troops stationed in the region in the past, and in June it attacked Al-Udeid airbase in the Gulf after the US struck its nuclear facilities.

The current protests have been centered in the capital but have also extended to other cities, such as Isfahan. Business owners have gone on strike in solidarity, and activists have taken over university grounds. While economic conditions are the primary complaint, protesters have also voiced anti-government slogans and condemned what they said was corruption and mismanagement.

Official Approach Changes

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, offered talks with protest leaders, taking a less confrontational approach than the government did during the 2022 protests, which were violently suppressed. Pezeshkian stated that he had instructed the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The recent deaths of demonstrators, though, may indicate that the state are becoming more forceful against the protests as they continue. A communiqué from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on recently warned that it would act decisively against any outside meddling or “internal strife” in the country.

While Iranian authorities grapple with protests at home, it has tried to stave off claims from the US that it is reconstituting its nuclear programme. Officials has claimed that it is halted enrichment activities domestically and has indicated it is open for dialogue with the international community.