US President Donald Trump on Sunday praised Israel as a “great ally” of the United States, saying the country has shown strength and resolve as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a GREAT Ally of the United States of America. They are Courageous, Bold, Loyal, and Smart and, unlike others that have shown their true colors in a moment of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard, and knows how to WIN! President DJT.” His remarks come at a time of heightened conflict involving Israel, Iran and allied groups in the region.Meanwhile, efforts to de-escalate the conflict remain uncertain. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said negotiations with the United States had made some progress but were still far from complete. “We are still far from the final discussion,” he said, adding that “there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain”.The conflict has already taken a heavy toll. Iranian authorities say 3,468 people have been killed in the war involving the United States and Israel. On the Israeli side, the military confirmed that Command Sergeant Barak Kalfon, 48, was killed in southern Lebanon, where a fragile ceasefire had recently come into effect.Tensions have also spread to United Nations forces. Antonio Guterres condemned an attack on peacekeepers in southern Lebanon that killed a French soldier and wounded three others. France blamed Hezbollah, though the group denied involvement and called for an investigation.Despite a 10-day truce, clashes have continued. Israel said it carried out strikes against what it described as a “terrorist cell” in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned that any ceasefire must be mutual. “Because we do not trust this enemy, the resistance fighters will remain in the field with their hands on the trigger,” he said, adding: “There is no ceasefire from the side of the resistance only, it must be from both sides.“The situation has been further complicated by rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy warned that any vessel attempting to approach the key shipping route could be targeted, raising fears of disruption to global oil supplies.Trump also addressed the issue, warning Tehran against using the waterway as leverage. “We’re talking to them…and they can’t blackmail us,” he said.
