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

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.

Iran’s supreme leader has addressed the ongoing protests, insisting that “rioters must be put in their place.”

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.

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah of Iran, thanked President Donald Trump for his "support" of Iranian protesters.

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro's capture deals devastating blow to Iran's Western Hemisphere interests, experts say, weakening Tehran's anti-American alliance in South America.

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.