A top Russian lawmaker has dismissed the United States' unilateral sanctions against Iran as unacceptable, rejecting them altogether, Press TV reported.
Chairman of the Russian State Duma's Commission for International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev made the remark in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi, reported IRNA.
In the meeting, the Russian parliamentarian called for Tehran's nuclear issue to be settled through diplomatic channels.
Kosachev said his country tried its best to get extreme provisions removed from the UN Security Council resolution against Iran.
"We (Russia) were in a dilemma during the course of the resolution's adoption", said the top Russian legislator.
"We either had to oppose the resolution in principle, in which case the Western countries would dare to adopt aggressive and violent measures outside the UN Security Council [framework], or had to agree to it", Kosachev further said.
"We thought it was expedient to go for the second option to be able to harness the West's measures in a controlled manner", the top Russian lawmaker highlighted.
Iran's ambassador, in turn, aired grievances against Moscow for giving a 'yes' vote to the US-pushed resolution.
"Russia's actions have offended the public opinion in Iran, which will hurt deep-rooted bilateral and regional relations", the top Iranian diplomat underscored.
In the meeting, the two sides further discussed ways of boosting reciprocal ties, and insisted the misunderstandings in mutual relations should be cleared up.