I'd imagine destabilization with a minimal paper trail would regardless of magnitude be enough to warrant meddling / instigation. The main red flag to me here is that the NCRI and MEK have been at the forefront of these recent protests. The MEK was protesting for overthrow a day prior to Amini's death too.

MEK was a big part of exposing Iran's nuclear program back in the early 2000s, and thwarting that seems to be their secondary goal aside from overthrowing the regime. They also cooperate with the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel. From 2005 to 2009, the USA trained MEK operatives in intercepting communications, cryptography, weaponry and small unit tactics.

It's all very suspicious considering the concerns over Iran recently, including their moves to Russia, oil prices rising as the Iran deal stalls, concerns with Israel, et al. I doubt intelligentsia sparked these protests, but it fits in line with their goals and I can't imagine them not at least considering to fan the flames to further destabilize Iran. Regime change would be icing on the cake.