A famous Iranian actor has apologized to Iranians for posting a tweet in support of a ruling by the US Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage across the entirety of the United States.

In his tweet in Persian, Bahram Radan had hailed last week�s verdict on same-sex marriage across the US, saying, ��the ruling by the US Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage was a historic event, perhaps on the same scale of the end of slavery ... from [former US President Abraham] Lincoln to [President Barack] Obama."

However, the award-winning actor deleted his tweet after he was severely criticized by many Iranian people and media.

In an open letter, the 36-year-old actor clarified his position on the issue and said, �What was�published on the internet as my opinion about the US Supreme Court�s ruling on gay marriage was a mistake and beneath the dignity of the Iranian people, for which I apologize."

�We�re living in a country which celebrates marriage as a tradition of the Prophet [Muhammad] and a commendable practice. American laws do not apply to�the Islamic Republic,� Radan added.

He said gay marriage is reprehensible in Iran which as it runs counter to�the country�s social norms�and religious laws.

Tehran-based Kayhan newspaper on Thursday criticized Radan�s tweet in support of same-sex marriage.

On June 26, the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage�legal across the United States.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court termed attempts by conservative states to ban gay marriage unconstitutional.