The Islamic Republic has called on Iranian nationals livening in Ukraine, especially students, to leave the country "temporarily".

Iran’s embassy in Kiev issued a statement on Wednesday as the situation in Ukraine is growing increasingly tense.

The embassy has also urged the Iranian citizens to refrain from traveling to "high-risk areas" and to “temporarily leave the country” if their presence in Ukraine is not absolutely necessary.

The statement also called on Iranians to maintain contact with the embassy for "necessary coordination in case of emergency."

Iran has blamed NATO for the recent escalation in the Ukraine crisis, calling for restraint from both sides, as Russia has moved to dismember the country.

"Unfortunately, NATO's provocative measures and interventions, led by the US, have further complicated the situation in the region” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

President Vladimir Putin announced late Monday that Russia recognized the independence of two breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine held by separatists, practically paving the way for the deployment of Russian troops.

The decision by Moscow has triggered international condemnation and a promise of targeted international sanctions by the United States and the European Union.

An urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was held on the deepening crisis as the United States said the announcement by Putin was an “unprovoked violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.