"The passage of a fourth round of sanctions resolution against Iran [over its peaceful nuclear program] is extremely strange for us," Ali Larijani said in a telephone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri on Friday.

"The move was strange because it came despite efforts by Turkey and Brazil to mediate the standoff over Iran's uranium enrichment, as previously required by US President Barack Obama," Larijani stressed.

Iran, Brazil and Turkey endorsed and issued a declaration in Tehran last week on the swap of nuclear fuel between Tehran and the West via Turkey. According to the agreement, Iran will send some 1200 kg of its 3.5% enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for a total 120 kg of 20% enriched fuel.

The US-proposed resolution was passed with 12 votes on Wednesday after non-permanent UN Security Council member states - Brazil and Turkey - voted against the new sanctions and Lebanon abstained from voting.