Iran’s police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan has warned citizens against participating in anti-government protests, saying those acting under foreign influence would be treated as enemies. In a televised interview, he stated that all security forces were ready to defend the revolution and were prepared to respond firmly to any unrest.

Radan’s warning followed a social media post by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who urged Iranians to overthrow the current regime and seize what he called a historic opportunity for freedom. Netanyahu had earlier called for regime change in Tehran after a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran in late February, and again on March 8 encouraged Iranians to rise for independence.

The warning also comes amid memories of the late-December wave of anti-government protests in Iran, which became one of the deadliest crackdowns in the country’s history. According to the U.S.-based human rights group HRANA, at least 7,000 people were killed during those demonstrations.