Trump Praises Israel as ‘Great Ally’ Amid Rising Iran Tensions; Strait of Hormuz Dispute Deepens

Washington, April 2026 : US President Donald Trump has described Israel as a “great ally of the United States,” praising the country for its courage and loyalty as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump commended Israel for standing firmly with the United States during times of conflict. “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 colours in moments of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard and knows how to win,” he said.

Trump’s remarks come just a day after he struck a more cautious tone, warning Israel against further military escalation in Lebanon and stating that “enough is enough.” The shift in tone highlights the complexity of the ongoing situation in the region, where multiple fronts remain volatile.

Meanwhile, tensions have intensified further following a strong statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), which reiterated that Tehran will maintain strict control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the conflict is fully resolved and a lasting peace is achieved.

The announcement followed an earlier declaration by Iran’s military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which confirmed the resumption of strict oversight of the strategic waterway. Iran cited the continued US naval blockade against its vessels and ports as the primary reason for tightening control.

According to Iranian media reports, the SNSC has outlined a series of measures to regulate shipping through the strait. These include requiring vessels to provide detailed information, issuing passage permits, charging fees for security and environmental services, and directing maritime traffic in line with its regulations and wartime protocols.

The council also warned that any attempt by opposing forces to disrupt shipping—such as through naval blockades—would be treated as a violation of the current two-week ceasefire. It added that under such circumstances, Iran would prevent any conditional or limited reopening of the strait.

Iran further argued that a significant portion of logistical supplies for US military bases in West Asia passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which it considers a direct threat to its national and regional security.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, carrying a substantial share of global oil shipments. With both Washington and Tehran maintaining firm positions, the situation continues to raise concerns about regional stability and the potential impact on global energy markets.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)