European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday accused Russia of supplying intelligence to Iran to support attacks on American forces during the widening Middle East conflict.

Speaking at a G7 ministerial meeting near Paris, Kallas said Moscow’s actions were deepening regional instability and urged Washington to respond.

“We see that Russia is helping Iran with intelligence to target Americans, to kill Americans, and Russia is also supporting Iran now with the drones so that they can attack neighbouring countries and also US military bases,” she told reporters, adding that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East were “very much interlinked”.

She argued that “If America wants the war in the Middle East to stop, Iran to stop attacking them, they should also put the pressure on Russia so that they are not able to help them in this.”

Rising toll across the region

The death count from the conflict has continued to climb, with more than 1,900 people killed in Iran and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon. Dozens more have died in Israel and elsewhere, and 13 US military personnel have been reported dead.

Millions have been displaced across Iran and Lebanon as strikes and retaliation intensified.

Trump escalates pressure on Tehran

In Washington, Donald Trump issued a public warning to Tehran to “get serious soon” about negotiating an end to the war. The message followed his claim that a deal to halt the conflict was approaching, despite Iran rejecting his proposed 15-point ceasefire framework.

The United States has been preparing for the deployment of several thousand additional troops who could be sent into Iran should the situation deteriorate further.

At the same time, Pakistan has emerged as a potential mediator. Islamabad’s top diplomat has confirmed that indirect talks between Washington and Tehran are underway, though Iran continues to deny participating in any negotiations.

Strait of Hormuz turns into leverage point

Iran has tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, blocking vessels it perceives as associated with the US or Israeli war effort while allowing limited traffic through.

According to Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran has been charging for “safe passage” through the vital shipping corridor, a choke point for global energy supplies.

Earlier Thursday, Israel said it had killed the commander of Iran’s navy, Alireza Tangsiri, in an overnight airstrike in Bandar Abbas. Israel said Tangsiri had been responsible for bombing operations that blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran waiting for US response to 15-point plan

Tehran has nonetheless issued a reply, through unnamed intermediaries, to the US proposal aimed at ending the conflict, according to a report by Iran’s state-aligned Tasnim news agency.

“Iran's response to the 15 points proposed by the US was officially sent last night through intermediaries, and Iran is awaiting the other side's response,” the outlet said, citing an informed source. The specific terms of the plan, passed via Pakistan according to its officials, have not been made public.

Israel, meanwhile, has signalled it will continue its military operations irrespective of the diplomatic manoeuvring.

(With inputs from agencies)