NEW YORK, Sept 20 — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi yesterday accused the United States of worsening the Ukraine war but insisted that Tehran — which has provided drones to Russia — would back a peace settlement.

"The United States of America has fanned the flames of violence in Ukraine in order to weaken the European countries. This is a long-term plan, unfortunately,” he told the United Nations General Assembly.

Iran has tense relations with the United States which has imposed new sanctions on the cleric-run state for selling the killer drones to Moscow.

But Raisi insisted on the neutrality of Iran, which has largely abstained from resolutions on the Ukraine war.

"We support any initiative for a cessation of hostilities and the war,” Raisi said. — AFP