New York, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, described the urgent meeting held by the UN Security Council regarding Iran's response to the Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus as a display of Western hypocrisy and double standards. 'What we are witnessing today is a display of hypocrisy and double standards that is almost embarrassing to watch,' Nebenzia said in a speech during a session of the UN Security Council on Sunday. He added 'The steps undertaken by Iran became a reaction to the disgraceful inaction by this council, and a response to the blatant Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus.' 'If Western missions were under attack, you would not hesitate to retaliate and then you would be proving your case in this Security Council,' Nebenzia noted. However, he added, 'when it comes to other countries, their rights - including the right to self-defense - well, that's a different matter, as you like to say… What we're witnessing is a display of hypocrisy and double standards that is almost embarrassing to watch.' For his part, Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, stressed that the Iranian operation against targets in the Zionist entity comes within the framework of the inherent right to exercise self-defense in accordance with the principles of the United Nations. Iravani added 'Western countries, especially the United States, France and Britain, protect the Zionist entity and justify its crimes, including targeting diplomatic missions and committing genocide against the Palestinian people.' 'Iran does not want war, but it defends the integrity of its territories, rights, and interests. It is not interested in conflict with America in the region, but if America carries out military action against Iran, it will use its legitimate right to self-defense,' the Iranian Diplomat added. In turn, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, confirmed that the Israeli attack on the Iranian consul ate in Damascus is a violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and Syrian sovereignty. Shuang added that the prolonged war on Gaza will increase tension in the region and have repercussions, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further tension in the region. Chuang renewed demand for immediate implementation of the recent UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the entry of humanitarian aid into it. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency