The Iranian is using text messages to threaten its population with arrest for protesting after the presidential election – branded by opponents as a ‘sham’.

The regime’s intelligence ministry has sent out SMS messages to potential critics stating: “Your improper behaviour has been scrutinized and it will legally be dealt with in case of repetition.”

The focus of the threatening texts have been centred on western parts of Tehran, according to reports from inside the regime.

The tests come amid simmering anti-regime reaction to the election, recently manifested by angry youths returning home this week after watching the Iranian national football team defeat South Korea to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.