Israeli warships send message to Iran
Two Israeli warships have sailed through the Suez Canal in a move that appeared to be a new signal to Iran that Israel could swiftly extend its reach to its nuclear neighbour.
Use of the Egyptian-controlled strategic waterway, which links the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, means that the Israeli navy could reach waters off Iran within days, instead of taking a much longer route around Africa.
Observers say that although Israeli vessels regularly use the canal, the recent moves have, unusually, been publicised by Israel. Shlomo Brom, of the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies, said: "I believe the news was likely leaked on purpose in order to signal to Iran that Israel has the capability of reaching them."
Two of Israel's Saar class missile boats passed through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea yesterday. Israeli defence officials said the move was connected to "the navy's recent activities around the Red Sea".
Israel considers Iran its most serious threat, pointing to Tehran's nuclear programme, its support for anti-Israel militant groups and aggressive statements by its hardline president.
Israel believes Iran is developing nuclear weapons - a charge Iran denies - and has refused to rule out military action if Iran pushes forward with its atomic programme.
This month, Israeli defence officials said one of the navy's Dolphin class submarines had also sailed to the Red Sea through Suez.
Some foreign media reports say Dolphins can fire nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and serve as Israel's deterrent "second-strike" capability, allowing Israel to launch nuclear weapons from afar even if the country itself is targeted by a nuclear attack.
Egypt's foreign minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that under a long-standing treaty, warships can freely sail through Suez as long as they have no hostile intentions against the state that owns the canal.
He declined to say whether the manoeuvre was aimed at sending a message, saying: "I don't want to analyse an issue that I am not fully aware of."
