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Donald Trump has warned of involvement in Iran should its government kill protesters, prompting admonishments from high-ranking figures in Tehran that any US intervention would violate a critical boundary.

A Social Media Post Fuels Tensions

Through a online statement on Friday, Trump stated that if the country were to use deadly force against protesters, the United States would “intervene on their behalf”. He further stated, “we are locked and loaded, and ready to go,” without clarifying what that would involve in practice.

Demonstrations Continue into the Sixth Day Against a Backdrop of Economic Turmoil

Protests in Iran are now in their latest phase, marking the largest in several years. The ongoing protests were sparked by an sharp drop in the national currency on Sunday, with its value plummeting to about a record depreciation, intensifying an already beleaguered economy.

Several citizens have been lost their lives, among them a member of the paramilitary organization. Footage have shown officials carrying firearms, with the sound of shooting audible in the recordings.

Iranian Authorities Issue Stark Responses

In response to the intervention warning, an official, counselor for the country's highest authority, warned that the nation's sovereignty were a “non-negotiable limit, not material for reckless social media posts”.

“Any foreign interference nearing the country's stability on pretexts will be met with a regret-inducing response,” Shamkhani posted.

Another leader, a key security official, accused the US and Israel of orchestrating the demonstrations, a typical response by the government when addressing protests.

“Washington needs to know that foreign interference in this internal issue will lead to turmoil in the whole region and the harm to American interests,” the official wrote. “The American people must know that Trump is the one that began this escalation, and they should pay attention to the security of their soldiers.”

Recent History of Tensions and Protest Scale

Iran has previously warned against foreign forces deployed in the region in the past, and in June it launched strikes on Al-Udeid airbase in the Gulf following the American attacks on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.

The ongoing demonstrations have been centered in Tehran but have also extended to other cities, such as a major city. Shopkeepers have closed their stores in protest, and activists have gathered on campuses. Though the currency crisis are the primary complaint, protesters have also chanted calls for change and criticized what they said was failures by officials.

Official Response Changes

The head of state, Masoud Pezeshkian, offered talks with representatives, adopting a less confrontational approach than authorities did during the earlier demonstrations, which were violently suppressed. The president said that he had ordered the administration to listen to the people's valid concerns.

The loss of life of protesters, however, may indicate that authorities are becoming more forceful as they address the protests as they continue. A announcement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on Monday warned that it would respond forcefully against any outside meddling or “sedition” in the country.

While Tehran deal with protests at home, it has sought to counter claims from the United States that it is rebuilding its atomic ambitions. Officials has said that it is halted enrichment activities at present and has signaled it is open for dialogue with the international community.