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Title: Iran warships sail via Suez Canal amid Israeli concern
Source:
BBC
URL Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12533803
Published: Feb 22, 2011
Author: BBC
Post Date: 2011-02-22 19:35:05 by We The People
Keywords: None
Views: 7431
Comments: 12
Two Iranian warships have sailed through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea, canal officials say. Iranian officials have said the warships are heading to Syria for training, a mission Israel has described as a "provocation". The ships exited the canal at 1330 GMT, a canal authority source told Reuters. It is believed to be the first time since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that Iranian warships have passed through the waterway. The Iranian vessels entered the canal at 0545 local time (0345 GMT) and passed into the Mediterranean at 1530 (1330 GMT)," the source at the canal authority told Reuters. "Their return is expected to be on 3 March," the source added. Diplomatic significance Iran's request stated the vessels would have no military equipment, nuclear materials or chemicals on board, the Egyptian defence ministry is quoted as saying. A Suez Canal official said earlier Egypt could only have denied transit through the strategic waterway in case of war. But the significance of the deployment is entirely diplomatic, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. He says the two Iranian vessels do not represent any significant threat to either the Israeli navy or US vessels in the Mediterranean. The ships involved are the Alvand - thought to be a British-built Vosper Mark 5 class frigate - and a supply vessel, the Kharg, also British-built. The Alvand, a missile-carrying frigate, was launched in 1968. It is an impressive vessel by the standards of the Iranian navy, but no match for comparable Western warships nor the sophisticated missile boats of the Israeli navy, our correspondent says. What is clear is that this deployment is not a direct response to the current upheavals in the Middle East, he adds. Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported in January that Iranian navy cadets were going on a year-long training mission through Suez and into the Mediterranean - well before the protests that have swept the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt from power. But coming in the wake of these political changes the Iranian deployment will be seen by the Israeli in particular as even more destabilising, our correspondent says. Israel considers Iran a threat because of its controversial nuclear programme, development of ballistic missiles, support for Lebanese and Palestinian militant groups, and Tehran's repeated anti-Israel rhetoric. Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: "To my regret, the international community is not showing readiness to deal with the recurring Iranian provocations. "The international community must understand that Israel cannot forever ignore these provocations."
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#1. To: We The People (#0)
I wonder why the Iranian Navy is sailing to Syria? Do you think they are bringing "greetings" from North Korea?
I doubt they are carrying any serious or illegal cargo, but I could be wrong. I think they're just testing the waters, so to speak, to see if they would get through.
Maybe the IDF will attempt to enforce a similar embargo of both both warships similar to last year's Mavi Marmara incident. Got any popcorn?
I think you are correct.
They appear to be stupid enough to try it.
I recall you supported Israels position on that incident. You were correct in my view. Do you think that Israel has a legitimate concern? Do you think they have a right to block those Iranian ships if they wanted to? Do you think it would be wise for them to take that action?
Really? Do you think so? I don't know. That would be extremely provocative. Maybe I should pop some corn.
Now, you are doing something positive! Don't forget the butter&salt. And make that gourmet popcorn while you are at it.
That is correct. Israel had every legitimate national right to enforce their Gaza blockade; Egypt also enforced the same. Yes I do. Egypt has blocked Iranian warships since about 1980 through the Suez. Now, that a change of Egyptian government has occured, all of a sudden warships plan to port in Syria. Syria lobbed all kinds of missles towards Israel in the past; this new event is a harbinger to future events. No. But it is possible given the IDF and MOSSAD intelligence capabilities. No. The outcome, irrespective of any actual findings could be considered an act of war by both Syria and Iran.
I don't really disagree with anything you said there.
? How can anyone disagree with me on anything? Your point is moot and not worth discussing.
AIPAC has been saturating Capitol Hill this week as well as media outlets with its just released Red Alert! “Urgent Appeal” which reads as follows: “Please urge your House member to sign a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that urges all branches of the U.S. government to emphasize to prospective Egyptian leaders and opposition figures the importance of Egypt’s international obligations, specifically its Camp David peace treaty with Israel.” The ONE GREAT THING that has come from the 2011 Arab Uprising. Israel controls US foreign policy and our media. For proof only look to the column to the right. Wisconsin Everywhere. The ONLY post on the ME: Libyan warships. The USSA MSM courtesy of Mossad. LMFAO 8D
#2. To: buckeroo (#1)
I wonder why the Iranian Navy is sailing to Syria? Do you think they are bringing "greetings" from North Korea?
#3. To: We The People (#2)
#4. To: We The People (#2)
I doubt they are carrying any serious or illegal cargo, but I could be wrong. I think they're just testing the waters, so to speak, to see if they would get through.
#5. To: buckeroo (#1)
Do you think they are bringing "greetings" from North Korea?
#6. To: buckeroo (#3)
Maybe the IDF will attempt to enforce a similar embargo of both both warships similar to last year's Mavi Marmara incident.
#7. To: buckeroo (#3)
Maybe the IDF will attempt to enforce a similar embargo of both both warships similar to last year's Mavi Marmara incident.
#8. To: We The People (#7)
Maybe I should pop some corn.
#9. To: A K A Stone (#6)
I recall you supported Israels position on that incident.
Do you think that Israel has a legitimate concern?
Do you think they have a right to block those Iranian ships if they wanted to?
Do you think it would be wise for them to take that action?
#10. To: buckeroo (#9)
#11. To: A K A Stone (#10)
#12. To: We The People (#0)
"The international community must understand that Israel cannot forever ignore these provocations."
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