Israel Takes 'Grave' View of Iranian Warships Transiting Suez

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Israel Takes 'Grave' View of Iranian Warships Transiting Suez

VOA News February 20, 2011

Israel says it takes a " grave " view of Iran's plan to send two warships through

Egypt's Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, in what would be Tehran's first such

move since its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made the comment to his Cabinet

Sunday, calling the passage of Iranian warships through the Suez Canal a ploy by

Iran to extend its regional influence at a time of instability.

Suez Canal officials say they expect the Iranian frigate and supply ship to

enter the waterway Monday en route to Syria. They denied reports by Iranian

state-run television that the warships already had crossed the canal Sunday.

Egypt's new military rulers approved an Iranian request for the transit of the

two vessels last Friday, despite decades of strained relations between the two

sides.

Netanyahu said Israel perceives a growing security risk in the region and will

increase its defense spending accordingly. Israel views Iran as an existential

threat because of Tehran's frequent calls for the demise of the Jewish state and

an Iranian nuclear program that Israeli officials say is aimed at producing

weapons.

Iran says its nuclear work is peaceful.

Vessels intending to pass through the Suez Canal must give the waterway's

authority at least 24 hours notice before entering.

The Convention of Constantinople, signed in 1888, guarantees the right of

passage through the canal for all seagoing vessels, military or civilian, at all

times.

International agreements specifically call for the canal to remain open in

wartime, but there have been a number of closures during past conflicts.