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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Israel warships move within cruise-missile range of Iran
2009-07-16
Tel Aviv takes a step closer to war with Tehran as two Israeli warships sail through the Suez Canal within cruise-missile range of Iran.

Earlier this week, two Israel Navy gunboats, the Hanit and the Eliat, passed through the Suez Canal and across the Red Sea.

In a Thursday interview with the Times, a senior Israeli defense official said the move should be seen as serious preparations for a long-expected attack on Iranian nuclear sites. "This is preparation that should be taken seriously. Israel is investing time in preparing itself for the complexity of an attack on Iran," said the Israeli defense official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity.

"These maneuvers are a message to Iran that Israel will follow up on its threats," he added.

The move comes ten days after a submarine -- believed to be nuclear-armed -- made a similar crossing and headed from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. The move, apparently coordinated with Egypt, is seen as a warning message to Iran that the Netanyahu government is not having second thoughts about its military plans against Iran.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit confirmed the crossings, but refused to comment on whether the deployment should be seen as a warning to Iran.
I don't think two gunboats are going to start shelling Iran.

However, two gunboats could put a serious hole in the Iranian Navy's current "anti-piracy" effort, supposedly off the coast of Somalia, but conveniently canoodling in Asmara, Eritrea. The Eritreans and the Iranians have become fast friends, and Iran may be using their links to Asmara to further their terrorist ends in the Red Sea. So a couple of Israeli gunboats transit Suez. They likely don't have the range to sail to the Persian Gulf and don't have the punch to do much against Iranian targets there, but they sure could take on the two or three Iranian frigates in the Red Sea.
Posted by:Anonymoose

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