PM: Crossing of Iranian warships viewed with utmost gravity - Jerusalem Post

 
Photo by: AP By JPOST.COM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS 
02/20/2011 11:18 Talkbacks (3) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel views with utmost gravity the intent of Iran to send warships to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, a move he termed "an Iranian attempt to expand its influence in the region."

Netanyahu said during the weekly cabinet meeting that Israel's "security needs are growing and the defense budget will be allocated accordingly."

"We will insist that we must promote the economy and stabilize it," the prime minister continued.

Earlier on Sunday, Iranian media reported that the two vessels have begun their passage through the Suez Canal, Al Alam reported.

"Two Iranian warships have passed through the canal and are heading towards a Syrian port," the Iranian television network reported.

The reports however could not be officially confirmed and Egyptian officials said the ships had not yet begun to transit the canal.

Egyptian official from the Suez Canal Authority confirmed that the authority had decided to allow the ships to travel through the canal but did not confirm if the transit had started.

The official said that the vessels were due to arrive at the southern part of the canal later Sunday and will enter the Mediterranean on Monday morning.

The Egyptian approval follows a weekend of mixed reports as to whether Egyptian authorities had approved the vessels' passage or not.

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So 2 Iranian ships, now isolated from their county, are in the Mediterranean.. just as Iranian ships fire on ships that enter its territorial waters, these ships take the same risk. at the first sign of aggression.. we give the Mediterranean sea a new reef..

Author:   hans-PeterCountry:   Nederland02/20/2011   11:25
So, 2 Iranian ships are crossing the Suez canal? USA warships do that all the time and also Israeli ships have passed the Suez canal, even submarines. The canal is formally open since the camp david agreement, that allowed israel passage for all nations that want to use it and pay the 250.000 $ to pass. Why not iran with a freight, most likely arms, to Syria. What is the problem ? Please don't come with the broken record that Iran is a threat. we all know wher the real threat to peace lives.

Author:   johan Country:   new zealand02/20/2011   11:14
Ever since 1948 israel has reigned the Middle east with the iron fist of violence. The times are changing and new superpowers emerge, read China and Iran. no more reliance on the partner USA, using its veto in the UNSC against the rest of the world. Bob Dylan sang it so well: The times they are - a - changing. Get used to it is probably the way to survive it.

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