The comments followed a public outcry over the high cost of living and alleged financial corruption.
"The current special economic conditions are considered an economic war," judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani said in a letter to Khamenei, calling for the setting up of special courts to deal quickly with financial crimes, the television report said.
Khamenei agreed, saying: "The purpose (of the courts) should be to punish those guilty of corrupt economic practices quickly and fairly," the TV added.