Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the political and social order” in the country and “promoting benefits” for Israel and the United States during anti-government protests in January.

The detainees arrested on Sunday included three prominent reformist politicians, Iranian media reported.

They are Iranian Reform Front Chairman Azar Mansouri, former diplomat Mohsen Aminzadeh and former parliamentarian Ibrahim Asgarzadeh.

The fourth remains unnamed.

Iran’s judiciary accused the group of “organizing and leading a wide range of activities aimed at disrupting the political and social situation” at a time when the country faces “military threats” from Israel and the United States, the official Mizan news agency reported.

The report said these individuals had done their best to “justify the actions of street terrorists.”

The Reform Front of Iran confirmed the arrests in a statement on June 1.

According to reports, Mansouri was arrested from his home by the intelligence forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) “on judicial orders.”

It added that the IRGC also issued summonses to other senior members, including its deputy chairman Mohsen Amin and secretary Badr al-Sadat al-Mofidi.

The arrests come amid anger in Iran over the deaths of thousands of Iranians during unrest in January. The protests began in the capital, Tehran, amid a worsening economic crisis, but have since escalated into a nationwide anti-government movement.

Iranian authorities have branded the protesters “terrorists” and blamed the “riots” on foreign interference by Israel and the United States.

The government later stated 3,117 people killed It also rejected claims by the United Nations and international human rights groups that the country’s military was behind the killings, most of which took place on the night of January 8-9.

Headquartered in the United States human rights activist news agency (HRANA) said it has verified 6,854 deaths and is investigating 11,280 other cases.

Thousands of people were also arrested during the riots.

Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said the latest politician to be arrested on Sunday faces “serious charges.”

He said Aminzadeh was a former deputy foreign minister during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, who was in power from 1997 to 2005, and Asgharzadeh was a former lawmaker and former student leader who “participated in the takeover of the U.S. embassy” in 1979.

“These figures have a background of political activity and incarceration,” Assadi said. “So this is not the first time they have faced these types of charges and they are on a trajectory that could pave the way for them to go to prison further,” he said.

Iran’s crackdown in January also heightened tensions with Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who seeks to curb Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, has threatened new attacks if Tehran uses force against protesters. Trump ordered a U.S. military strike against three Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year, and later ordered the deployment of the Navy’s “Armada” to the Gulf region.

The move prompted Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to warn of a “regional war” if Iran was attacked and prompted regional powers to use diplomatic efforts to try to ease tensions.

The diplomacy led to indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Oman on Friday. President Masoud Pezeshkian called the discussion a “step forward” in a social media post and said his government was in favor of continuing the dialogue.

Another round of negotiations is scheduled for next week.

Meanwhile, Iran’s top military commander issued a new warning on Sunday, saying The entire region will be plunged into conflict If Iran is attacked.

“While we are prepared, we really do not want to see a regional war break out,” Maj. Gen. Abdelrahim Mousavi told a gathering of air force and air defense commanders and personnel.

Speaking of Israel, he said: “Although the aggressor will be the target of the flames of regional war, this will set back progress and development in the region for years, and the consequences will be borne by American militants and the Zionist regime.”