"The counter-revolution and Iran's enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so," Khamenei said, hours before Iranian media said calm had been restored in the country.
"Unfortunately some problems were caused, a number of people lost their lives and some centres were destroyed," he added. Khamenei, who has the last say on all state matters, said the increase in gasoline prices should be implemented, but called on officials to prevent hikes in prices of other goods.
Tehran says the gasoline price increase is expected to raise around $2.55 billion a year for extra subsidies for 18 million families, or about 60 million Iranians, on lower incomes.
Some Iranian lawmakers, who planned to discuss ways to force the government to revise its decision, withdrew their motion after Khamenei's Sunday speech, Iran's state media reported. And Iran's Intelligence Ministry said in a statement reported by Tasnim news agency that the protest's leaders had been identified and "appropriate action" was being taken.
"People have the right to protest. But that is different from anarchy. We cannot let insecurity in the country through riots," Iran's pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani said, in comments reported by state TV.