Russia has warned of a "very big war" causing suffering across the world if Western countries encourage anti-government uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.

Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Western meddling would lead to "a very big war that will cause suffering not only to countries in the region, but also to states far beyond its boundaries," the New York Times reported.

It came as Iran's foreign minister warned its Arab neighbours not to put themselves in a "dangerous position" by allying themselves too closely with the U.S. in the escalating row over Tehran's nuclear activity.