Russia and China have issued a warning to Joe Biden over Iran as they warn of a "cycle of retaliation".
The US has vowed to respond following a drone attack that killed three of its soldiers in Jordan on Sunday.
The blame for the attack was laid on Iran-backed militants, who struck the Tower 22 base, leading to the deaths of Sgt William Jerome Rivers, Spc Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Spc Breonna Alexsondria Moffett.
Calls in the US have urged Biden to respond robustly and with force, with the President stating that the response “could be multileveled, come in stages and be sustained over time.”
Both Russia and China have warned the US against retaliating
Reuters
According to Politico, he has reportedly demanded advisors present him with options on how to respond to the attack without going into war in the Middle East.
That could include attacking Iranian personnel in Syria and Iraq, as well as Iranian naval assets in the Persian Gulf.
The comments came after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed the US would take "all necessary actions" to defend its troops.
US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby also said that America is "not looking for a war with Iran".
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Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged the US to show restraint
Reuters
But, he added, the strike "was escalatory, make no mistake about it and it requires a response."
China has been quick to urge a policy of restraint, in order to "prevent further escalation".
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said: "We have also noted that Iran stated that it had nothing to do with the attack.
"We hope that all relevant parties will remain calm and restrained... in order to avoid falling into a vicious cycle of retaliation and prevent further escalation.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it's time for "steps to de-escalate tensions"
Reuters
"The situation in the Middle East is currently highly complex and sensitive."
Russia has also waded in on the issue, saying it's time for "steps to de-escalate tensions".
Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said: "In our view, the overall level of tension is very alarming and, on the contrary, now is the time for steps to de-escalate tensions.
"This is the only thing that can help us prevent further spreading of the conflict, especially the Middle East conflict, and somehow achieve de-confliction and de-escalation."
