Tehran, Jan 5 : Accusing European and US-based organisations of inciting post-poll violence in the country, Iran has restricted its citizens from having ties with such foreign groups, media reports said Tuesday.

Iran's deputy intelligence minister for foreign affairs said that 60 European and US institutions played a role in inciting post-election violence in the Islamic Republic.

Cooperating and signing contracts with these organisations, which are conducting soft warfare against Iran, is illegal, and receiving help from them is also prohibited, Press TV quoted the minister as saying.

He urged Iranians to avoid any relations with foreign embassies and nationals. He also prohibited political parties from receiving financial aid from abroad.

Institutions and media outlets like BBC and VOA are trying to help efforts to overthrow the government of the Islamic Republic, he said Monday.

The Soros Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the East European Democratic Centre (EEDC), the Smith Richardson Foundation, and the US' National Defence University, among others, are some of the institutions and foundations on the list of banned organisations announced by the intelligence ministry.

Earlier, Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi had said that "several foreign nationals" were arrested during the unrest on Dec 27.

The arrested foreign nationals were involved in psychological warfare campaigns against Iran, IRIB News quoted Moslehi as saying Monday.

On Dec 27, 2009, protesters took to the streets during the Ashura mourning ceremonies and chanted anti-government slogans. They also damaged public property and clashed with security forces. Seven people were killed in the unrest. (IANS)