Israel claims Iran warships planning to transit through Suez Canal

So an Israeli Warship never transit through Suez Canal?

Warships travel thru this canal all the time. So if a (Japan) SDF ship travels thru the Suez Canal that would be deemed an act of war (provocation) by Israel also. Seems to be a bunch of Lib/Globalist hype to me.

Iran sure if doing their best to get noticed these days.....kind of like a North Korea Light.

Ahmed el-Manakhli, head of Egypt’s canal operations room, denied the claim, saying warships must get permission 48 hours before crossing, and “so far, we have not been notified.”

Since they have yet to ask permission, why is Lieberman's whining news?

Israel considers Iran an existential threat because of its nuclear program, missile development, support for militants and threats to destroy Israel.

Absolutely nothing wrong with a civilian nuclear program, Iran is entitled to it since they signed the NPT and allow free inspections. Israel on the other hand...

Also nothing wrong with developing missiles, many nations and Israel do so.

Iran has expressed support for those who fight against terror and occupation. I too wish them all the best.

Iran has never threatened to destroy Israel; they have predicted the downfall of the regime occupying Jerusalem. They also stated that they would retaliate if attacked. On the other hand, Israel has destroyed Palestine and with regard to Iran, Israel "has not taken the possibility of a military strike off the table".

Iran has never threatened to destroy Israel

They have certainly suggested it would be a good idea. This sentiment is also reflected in government allowed murals and paintings seen all over Iran saying 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to the US'. As we all know, speech or protests that the Iranian government disagree with are met by violence. These placards and such are welcomed by the government because the Iranian governemt shares them.

Placards? Yes, scary stuff indeed.

Not going out of your way to defend Israel is not the same to threatening to destroy Israel.

I'd love to see this ship try to dock in Gaza. Wonder what Israel would do. Some interesting things going on in the ME these days.

Warships travel thru this canal all the time. So if a (Japan) SDF ship travels thru the Suez Canal that would be deemed an act of war (provocation) by Israel also. Seems to be a bunch of Lib/Globalist hype to me.

@Badsey: If it was a bunch of Lib/Globalist hype, it wouldn't be a concern. It would be more of the opposite side.

Warships routinely do pass through the canal, but the significance of Iranian warships passing through would be significant. First, they don't normally operate that far away from home. They will traverse the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, and maybe go as far as Yemen on the Red Sea, but they don't go that far west.

Second, before any warship can go through the canal, Diplomatic Clearance needs to be granted by Egypt. All nations have to comply. What was the only Islamic country Egypt did not have diplomatic relationship with: Iran. Due to the fact that a street in Tehran was named after one of the assians who killed Sadat (a Muslim brotherhood member, and a differnt topic altogher).

So for Iran to try to get a diplomatic clearance to send warships through the canal could be seen as a way to see how stable the Egyptian govt. is and if things will remain the same. Also, if Iran gets their nuclear program together, once they manage to get nukes small enough (tactical ones) to go on missiles in their inventory, it would be just another step at developing a method to a possible WMD strike in Israel. I know that is a stretch, but the planners in Israel have to look at these things.

Sabiwabi,

You say "Iran has never threatened to destroy Israel" yet the loony Iranian president has said this in the past "Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated Iran's goal of "wiping Israel off the map." "

Sounds like a threat to me

AdamB,

Some will continue the claim that it is all one big mistranslation. However, it was not. Ahmadinejad did in fact describe his desire that Israel be destroyed. In fact, the man spoke at the 32nd anniversary of the Iranian revolution and in front of the stage the sign said 'Down with Israel' in English and 'Death to Israel' in Farsi. In addition when Ahmadinejad said they were in the middle of an revolution the crowd shouted 'Death to the US' and 'Death to Israel'.

So, we both know the claims of misunderstandings and mistranslations are completely incorrect.

You say "Iran has never threatened to destroy Israel" yet the loony Iranian president has said this in the past "Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated Iran's goal of "wiping Israel off the map."

I'm not in the mood to get into that AGAIN. If you choose to believe the MSM media translation or atamant's placard, fine go ahead.

In addition when Ahmadinejad said they were in the middle of an revolution the crowd shouted 'Death to the US' and 'Death to Israel'.

And what do you think the crowds shout in Israel? "Love love me do"?

Sabiwabi,

So please enlighten me if he didnt say "Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated Iran's goal of "wiping Israel off the map" which was what was reported in Iran's media as well then what did he say?

If you choose to believe the MSM media translation or atamant's placard, fine go ahead.

Just google for photos for yourself. No need to just blindly follow what I write. Not that I expect anyone to.

And what do you think the crowds shout in Israel? "Love love me do"?

I guarantee there are more free public rallies and protests in Israel than in Iran. I also know there is free debate in Israel on such issues as Iran. I also know there are far less mobs shouting for death to Iran in Israel than there are in Iran shouting death to the US and Israel. Anyway, you seem to approve of mobs in Iran shouting 'Death to Israel'. That you have made perfectly clear.

It is too easy to say Iran is an evil country, but come on guys, it is not the country that is evil, it is all of the corrupt mullahs, ayahotalahs etc..that have been using their state religion as an EXCUSE to control the country, control the oil, and to try and control the average Iranian man and woman, so yes, kind of like North Korea, but at least North Korea has big brother China in the back ground to pull on it's leash, to control the DPRK, the Iranian regime is more like a loose cannon on a ship in choppy waters.

elbudamexicano,

I agree with your accessment.

"Iran warships"

If there is ever an all-out war with Israel, those Iranian warships will be destroyed.

Sarge "Iran warships" “If there is ever an all-out war with Israel, those Iranian warships will be destroyed.”

Too true, but what if those ships do come through the canal and then do try to dock in Gaza? Is the Middle East stable enough at the moment for what will follow? I am not even sure the world as a whole is stable enough for what might happen.

It appears Iran has now asked for permission to go through the canal. This could get interesting.

If there is ever an all-out war with Israel, those Iranian warships will be destroyed.

Yeah, you might be right. But then again, this is not an unarmed civilian humanitarian flotilla or a bunch of stone-throwing kids. Israel might get their butts kicked again.

Also, Israeli-friendly puppet leaders are quickly disappearing from the region, so Israel should start following international law and common human decency if it wants to stick around.

sabi: unarmed civilian humanitarian flotilla

You must be referring to the fauxtilla.

sabi: unarmed civilian humanitarian flotilla

You must be referring to the fauxtilla.

No, I am referring to the unarmed international civilian flotilla that tried to bring desperately needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza who have been kept prisoners by the israelis under an long illegal blockade that has caused tremendous suffering and deaths to the Gazans while most of the world stays silent. This flotilla of unarmed civilians was brutally attacked by israeli commandos in the middle of the night in international waters, with at least 9 of these unarmed civilian humanitarians being murdered.

Iran backed down. As they should have. Actually, it was smart for Iran in many ways. It would have been a PR boon for Israel.

PS: The 'civilians' on one of those flotilla boats were clearly not unarmed. The unarmed civilians on the other boats were and are just fine.

Iran backed down. As they should have.

Backed down? They're going through the canal this very minute!

They're going through the canal this very minute!

About 36 hours after my post. They did originally withdraw their request according to Egyptian authorities. I guess they did not want to look like they were chickening out. On the other hand, perhaps they want to buy some more arms from Israel. At any rate, they are not going anywhere near Gaza.

They did originally withdraw their request according to Egyptian authorities.

They have? You wouldn't happen to have a link for that would you?

There was a delay, but not because of Iran withdrawing their request.

At any rate, they are not going anywhere near Gaza.

Yeah, they had no intention of going there. Iran did not back down from anything.

This site does not seem to allow links. But, you can find the stories by googling 'Iran warships cancel request to transit Suez Canal'

Yeah, they had no intention of going there.

Yeah, but you gotta admit you were hoping they would.

Still, this is going to be nothing but a PR boon for Israel.