The US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said that ties between his country and Israel are strong, and that the US remains committed to the safety and security of Israel. Speaking during a tour in the city of Sderot, Shapiro said that the US will help Israel against any threat, especially that of a nuclear Iran, stressing that this threat will not be allowed to become a reality, and that “closer cooperation and conversations” are going on between the two allies. Shapiro said he was saddened by the death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three embassy staff who were killed during the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi on Tuesday.