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TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Foreign influences are not to blame for Iran's post-election violence, the nation's supreme leader has said, according to state-run media.
"I don't accuse the leaders of the recent incidents of being affiliated with foreign countries, including the United States and Britain, since the issue has not been proven for me," Ayatollah Khamenei told a group of university students on Wednesday, Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

"But there is no doubt that the events were planned, no matter whether their leaders knew it or not."

Iranian officials, including hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have claimed that nations such as the United States and Britain have meddled in Iranian affairs since elections in June, without offering proof. Ahmadinejad has has warned of repercussions over the alleged meddling.

Gholam-Hosein Mohseni Ejei, Iran's intelligence minister, on Sunday blamed Western powers for stirring up protests. The British Embassy in Tehran "played a heavy role in the recent disturbances," he said, adding that the United States led the effort.

"The fact that Iran is stable, calm and secure, they're upset with this," Ejei told Iran's Press TV in late June.