Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran "never seeks war" with the U.S., state media reported Wednesday amid a spike in tensions between the two countries. 

"Iran has no interest to increase tension in the region and it never seeks war with any country, including [the] U.S.," the president was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. 

Rouhani was speaking by phone to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, as Tehran and Washington engaged in an escalating war of words following Iran shooting down a U.S. drone last week. 

Tehran says it shot down U.S. 'spy' drone
"We have always been committed to regional peace and stability and will make efforts in this respect," the Iranian president told Macron. 

Iran's Revolutionary Guard: U.S. sanctions are 'desperate' measures

The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard said on Wednesday that recent U.S. sanctions against Tehran were a desperate measure after the downing of a U.S. drone in the Gulf of Oman by Iran. 

"The recent U.S. sanctions against the Guard commanders show their desperation and anger in face of Iranian prowess," Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he pulled back from retaliatory strikes on Iran at the last minute, rejecting Tehran's claim that the aircraft was in its airspace. 

But pressure mounted this week with Trump announcing sanctions on Iran's supreme leader and top officials. 

The new measures are the latest against Tehran since Trump pulled out of a landmark nuclear accord between Iran and world powers.

Russia urges U.S. and Iran to begin dialogue

On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow will try to persuade the United States and Iran to start "civilized" dialogue. 

"This, of course, assumes the end to the policy of ultimatums, sanctions and blackmail," Lavrov told a briefing.

(Cover: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a meeting with tribal leaders in Kerbala, Iraq, March 12, 2019. /Reuters Photo)