Russia and China have expressed strong opposition to the United States' actions regarding Iran and Cuba in speeches at the United Nations General Assembly.
What happened
Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and China's Vice President Han Zheng delivered sharp criticisms of the US during their speeches. Lavrov condemned the use of force against Iran, including the killing of the supreme leader and members of his family, as well as targeting civilian infrastructure. He called for stability in the region and an end to airstrikes in the Strait of Hormuz, which he said are disrupting global energy trade.
Zheng took a broader stance against war and conflict, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty and security of countries in the Middle East. Both Lavrov and Zheng expressed support for Palestine and criticized Israel. They also denounced the US energy blockade of Cuba, with Lavrov calling for the US to lift its siege on the island and remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The speeches marked a significant divergence from US foreign policy, coming after President Donald Trump recently touted progress in his relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump addressed the Cuba situation, stating that he does not think military action will be necessary and that he hopes to make a deal with the communist island.
