Israeli army says soldier killed in southern LebanonIsrael's military said on Sunday that a soldier died during combat in southern Lebanon, where a temporary ceasefire had come into effect this week."Lidor Porat, aged 31, from Ashdod, a soldier in the 7106th Battalion, 769th Regional Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the Israeli military said in a statement, without providing further details.The total Israeli army death toll in the six-week war between Israel and Hezbollah was now 15, according to an AFP tally based on military figures.It was the second death announced by Israel of a soldier in southern Lebanon since the start of a ten-day truce announced by the United States began on Friday - part of wider efforts to bring a permanent end to the Middle East war.Trump praises Israel as a 'great ally' of USUS President Donald Trump has posted a statement on Truth Social strongly backing Israel, describing it as a key ally of the United States. He praised Israel as “courageous, bold, loyal and smart,” and said it has demonstrated strength and resilience in conflict. Trump added that Israel “fights hard” and “knows how to win,” contrasting it with others he said have “shown their true colours” during times of crisis.Strait of Hormuz to stay closed until port blockade lifts, Iran saysThe crucial Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, Tehran said Saturday, as a top official warned that a final peace deal remained "far" off.Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address that there has been "progress" in talks with Washington "but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain.""We are still far from the final discussion," said Ghalibaf, one of Tehran's negotiators in the talks aimed at ending the war launched by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic.A two-week ceasefire is set to end on Wednesday unless it is renewed.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Iran's speaker says US negotiations have progressed but far from final deal Progress had been made in negotiations with the United States to end the war, Iran's parliamentary speaker said on Saturday night, but added the sides were still far from an agreement."We are still far from the final discussion," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also one of Iran's negotiators, said in a national televised address, adding "we made progress in the negotiations, but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain".Iran 'victorious' in war with US, speaker saysIran had been "victorious in the field" during weeks of war and had only agreed to a temporary truce with the United States because its demands had been met, the Iranian parliamentary speaker said on Saturday.The two-week ceasefire is set to end Wednesday unless it is renewed, with a permanent deal that mediators including Pakistan are pushing to get over the line still not finalised and progress on key sticking points uncertain."We were victorious in the field," Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a national televised address, adding the United States had not achieved its goals and Iran controlled the strategic Strait of Hormuz maritime transit route."If we accepted the ceasefire, it was because they accepted our demands," he said, referring to the United States."The enemy's every effort was to impose its demands on us and it is important that we register our rights, so this is where negotiation is a method of struggle."Ghalibaf and his delegation held closed door talks in Islamabad with US Vice President JD Vance on April 11, in the highest level Iran-US contacts since before the 1979 Islamic revolution.The talks did not result in a final deal and officials have signalled mediations are continuing, though Iran's deputy foreign minister said on Saturday no date had been set for a new round of talks.Amid US tensions, Mexico, Spain, Brazil urge respectful dialogue with CubaMexico, Spain and Brazil voiced concern Saturday over the "dramatic situation" in Cuba, which has faced months of pressure from US President Donald Trump, with the trio urging "sincere and respectful dialogue."Without explicitly mentioning the United States, the three leftist-led countries expressed "deep concern regarding the grave humanitarian crisis that the people of Cuba are enduring, and call for the adoption of necessary measures to alleviate this situation."The countries, in a joint statement issued by Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called for a "sincere and respectful dialogue" in line with international law.The purpose of such a dialogue should be to "find a lasting solution to the current situation and to ensure that it is the Cuban people themselves who decide their own future in full freedom," the statement said.The appeal came as a summit of leftist leaders is taking place in Barcelona, led by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez,