A spokesman for the Iranian judiciary said on Sunday that security forces "will face firmly" unrest that could be exploited by the United States and other enemies, after a wave of protests in Iran mainly on economic issues.
The possible return of US economic sanctions sparked Washington's withdrawal from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers, labor unrest and protests in Iran over the past few weeks, organized by several groups including teachers and truck drivers
Earlier this month, at least two people were killed in the southern Iranian city of Kazrun when protesters set fire to a police station.
Iran's ruling elite are keen to prevent any recurrence of unrest in late December, when demonstrations in 80 cities and towns were caused by poor living standards, and some protesters called on religious leaders to step down.
"Judicial and security bodies ... will resolutely confront any group or individual who wants to undermine the security of the country," the judiciary's website Mezzanline quoted its spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Aghi as saying, adding that raising tensions was part of the US "psychological war" against Iran.
"I urge the families not to allow the psychological war waged by the enemies to deceive their children ... especially the Zionists (Israel) and the Americans and not allow the enemies of the revolution to infiltrate the ranks of protesters who demand legitimate demands."
"These days the Americans and the Zionists are doing what they can to reach the poorest people and the terrorists."
President Hassan Rowhani reassured the Iranians that their oil-dependent economy could withstand new sanctions after Washington withdrew from the May 8 nuclear deal.