Russia has urged Iran and the United States to wind down tensions after Iranian forces accidentally downed a Ukrainian passenger jet.

Russian acting Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a statement in Moscow said the tragedy was a very serious red flag and a signal that everyone should start working on de-escalation and not on constant threats.

He said an increase in tensions between Iran and the United States will not help settle any single crisis in the region, if only because the tensions will be increasing.

NNR/Khokhar