President Donald Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham were photographed with a signed 'Make Iran Great Again' hat, as protests spread across Iran.

The payments are the latest step to alleviate economic pressures, but given the severity of the crisis, critics say, they are likely to do little.

Iran's efforts to quell a wave of anti-government protests have been complicated by Donald Trump's threat to intervene on their side, a warning firmly underlined by the subsequent U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro,

Tehran also increasingly cut back its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, as tensions increased over its nuclear program in recent years. The IAEA’s director-general has warned Iran could build as many as 10 nuclear bombs, should it decide to weaponize its program.

Since the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces at the weekend, US President Donald Trump and members of his administration have issued warnings to several other countries and territories – including Colombia,

"We are locked and loaded and ready to go," the president said on Truth Social early Friday, after economic protests in the Islamic Republic took a sharply violent turn.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly has a contingency plan to flee to Moscow if protests intensify, as reports claim at least 16 deaths in a week of clashes.

Galloping inflation and a currency crisis have provoked demonstrations across the country. Protests fueled by deepening economic hardship have swept Iran for more than a week, as soaring inflation has driven frustrated traders and university students into the streets of major cities, including the capital, Tehran.

Intelligence sources claim Tehran’s supreme leader will flee with up to 20 aides and family if protests escalate