Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani on Saturday expressed regret for the decision of the Ukrainian government to downgrade diplomatic relations with the Islamic republic.

The decision of the Ukrainian government is based on "unconfirmed reports and caused by the creation of media hype by foreign parties," Kanani was quoted by the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website as saying.

On Friday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced to downgrade ties with Iran and remove the Iranian ambassador's accreditation over what it called Tehran's "unfriendly act" to "supply Russia with weapons to wage war against Ukraine."

Kanani said in response that over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Iran has adopted the "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, advising Ukraine not to be influenced by third parties who seek to destroy the relations between the two countries.

Ukraine and the United States have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia, which Tehran has denied.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica in July that Iran will avoid any action that could lead to an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"I think 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," Amir-Abdollahian added. 

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