The Council warned of "targeted measures" against people "who among other things block the implementation of the peace process."
That includes those who are "attacking or obstructing the action" of the 7,000-strong United Nations force (ONUCI), the 4,000 French troops supporting them, the UN-supported elections officials and members of the UN-mandated International Working Group.
The warning also applies to those "who incite publicly hatred and violence."
Strong message
The text was meant to send a strong message to those behind what UN officials have called "orchestrated violence" against their forces in the world's top cocoa producer and former French West African colony, a diplomatic source said.
But the source said it would not mean that targeted sanctions would be imposed immediately. A list of targeted individuals would have to be reviewed by the council's sanctions committee, the source added.
Ivory Coast, once one of Africa's most prosperous states, has been split since fighting broke out in 2002 between the government of President Laurent Gbagbo and rebels who control the mostly Muslim north of the country.
Gbagbo loyalists have been protesting violently since Monday against an IWG announcement that the current parliament, whose mandate expired last month but was extended at Mr Gbagbo's request, should dissolve.
The proposal is aimed at easing the way for the UN-backed transitional government of Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny, who is tasked with disarming the northern rebels, reconciling the warring sides and holding elections by October.
The UN statement, read by Tanzania's envoy Augustine Mahiga, the council president for January, also demands the immediate end of "all hatred messages in the media, in particular the attacks against the United Nations."
It "strongly condemns the recent violent attacks" against the UN forces and international humanitarian agencies in Ivory Coast "by street militias and other groups associated with the (pro-Gbagbo) 'Young Patriots' as well as their instigators."
It also expressed "deep concern at the violent and orchestrated street protests led by the Young Patriots, in particular in Abidjan and several cities in the West."
The council also welcomed mediation efforts in Abidjan, the West African country's economic capital, by Nigerian President President Olusegun Obasanjo, the current chairman of the African Union.
Protest halt urged
In a sign of easing tension, Charles Ble Goude, the firebrand leader of pro-Gbagbo youths, urged his movement to halt violent protests, dismantle roadblocks, and end a siege of the UN headquarters in Abidjan.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who called for an immediate end to the violence, said the latest the flare-up vindicated his call for a more than 50 percent increase of the strength of the UN forces.
He said he discussed the issue with the council on Thursday. "All the reasoning we have given for increasing the force was not convincing," he said. "But events on the ground have made our case."
However US ambassador John Bolton made it clear that Washington would not back Mr Annan's increase request.
US officials said that Washington was conducting a broad review of US policy towards Ivory Coast to consider other ways to settle the crisis.
Mr Annan refused to bow to the demands of protesters and withdrawing the UN force. This "would make the situation worse," he said.
On Wednesday, UN Bangladeshi troops were forced to withdraw from two towns in western Ivory Coast after protesters attacked their camps.