Iranian authorities have arrested many anti-government protestors during the recent unrest in the country. An Iranian media outlet said on Friday that around 3,000 people have been detained. Some government officials are pushing for a tougher crackdown.

The Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported on the detentions. It cites security officials as saying the detainees have been involved in killing civilians and damaging public property, and that some have ties to Israel.

The protests and riots started late last month over soaring prices, fueled largely by economic sanctions imposed by Western countries. The New York Times reports that around 3,000 people have been killed, including security personnel.
Iran’s state media said President Masoud Pezeshkian told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the United States and Israel have been involved in the protests.

US President Donald Trump has been warning that he could take military action against Iran.

On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The president and his team are closely monitoring this situation. And all options remain on the table for the president.”

But US news website Axios said multiple sources, from both the US and Israel, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Trump to hold off on any action against Iran because Israel needs more time to prepare for possible retaliation.