TEHRAN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia is among major players behind recent unrest in Iran, a senior Iranian security official was quoted as saying by Tehran-based Press TV on Tuesday.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said certain countries are waging a "proxy war" against the Islamic republic via social media and the Internet.

The United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia are behind the recent riots in Iran, he said.

The hashtags and campaigns on social media concerning the situation in Iran are all in fact being guided by these countries, he said, adding that "Based on our analyses, around 27 percent of the new hashtags against Iran are generated by the Saudi government."

Shamkhani said that this foreign-backed intervention is aimed at hampering Iran's progress in different spheres.

"What is happening in Iran will be over in a few days, and there is no reason to worry at all," he said.

At least eight people, including seven civilians and one security policeman, were killed and dozens injured as protests against the government's economic policies, including looming price hikes, continued in major cities across Iran over the past days.

According to Iran's security officials, scores of protesters were arrested.