TEHRAN - Iran has jailed more than 140 political activists, journalists and university lecturers since the disputed election which returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power, reports said Thursday.

A list published by Etemad newspaper carried the names of 71 prominent reformist leaders, journalists and campaign workers of defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has dismissed the election as a 'shameful fraud.'

Mousavi's website Kalemeh said another 70 academics and members of Islamic associations at various universities were arrested after meeting him on Wednesday.

Iran has also arrested two reporters working for US publications amid stepped-up restrictions on foreign media which are banned from covering street protests.

Iranian officials have vowed to crack down on the 'masterminds' of riots and protests unleashed in the wake of the election.

At least 17 people have been killed and hundreds have been arrested in clashes between protestors and security forces since the protests over the election erupted, according to state media.