In a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China strongly criticized the United States for its recent air strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria. Moscow and Beijing accused Washington of escalating tensions in the region and expressed concerns about the US's motives behind these attacks.

Russia, whose invasion of Ukraine has been a contentious issue at the UNSC, had called for the council meeting after the US launched numerous strikes on Iran-aligned targets in Iraq and Syria. These strikes came in response to a drone attack on a US base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three soldiers.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia claimed that the US strikes were a show of force and asserted that they were linked to the upcoming presidential election in November. Nebenzia accused the US of disregarding international law and of attempting to shape its domestic political landscape by engaging in military actions. He also alleged that Washington was aiming to draw Middle Eastern powers, including Iran, into a regional conflict.

Syria, a close ally of Russia, joined in pointing out the possible connection between the US strikes and domestic politics. Syrian Envoy Koussay Aldahhak stated that Damascus rejects the use of states as platforms for US election campaigns and condemned the display of brute force that undermines collective security principles.

China, too, voiced its criticism of the US attacks, with Beijing's Ambassador Zhang Jun echoing concerns over the escalation of tensions in the region. Jun argued that the US military actions are fueling turmoil and intensifying the already existing tensions.

Iran's Ambassador Saeid Iravani denounced the US attacks, accusing them of violating international law and being a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the root cause of regional turmoil - Israel's US-backed war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.

The United States defended its actions, stating that their strikes in Iraq and Syria targeted sites associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been supporting like-minded political and armed groups against US influence in the region. Iran, however, denies any involvement in the attack on the US base in Jordan and asserts that the forces it supports in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen operate independently.

It remains to be seen how these condemnations from Russia, China, and Iran will impact the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the US's military actions in the region. The situation highlights the complexities and rivalries among various countries, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and promote stability in the region.