TEHRAN Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani expressed regret on Saturday about the decision of the Ukrainian government to downgrade diplomatic relations with the Islamic republic.
Kanani was quoted by the Iranian Foreign Ministry as saying that the Ukrainian government's decision was based on unconfirmed reports and caused by the creation of media hype by foreign parties.
On Friday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced that it would downgrade ties with Iran and remove Iranian ambassador's accreditation due to Tehran's unfriendly act to supply Russia with weapons to wage war against Ukraine. In response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Kanani said that Iran has adopted a clear policy of neutrality and has declared its opposition to war and the need for a political settlement of disputes away from violence.
He also emphasized that Iran will take proportionate action in response to the Ukrainian government's decision, and that it is important for Ukraine not to be influenced by third parties who try to destroy the relations between the two countries.
Ukraine and the United States accuse Iran of providing drones to Russia, which Tehran denies.
Amir-Abdollahian said that the current problem with the conflict is that in some Western countries, including the United States, there are armament manufacturers trying to sell their products.