Lieberman: Iranian warships a provocation
Foreign minister denounces Iranian plan to send warships to Syria via Suez Canal Wednesday night
Two Iranian warships planned to sail through the Suez canal en route to Syria on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said, calling the move the latest "provocation" by Tehran and hinting at an Israeli response.
Israel sees a major threat in Iran's nuclear program and calls for its elimination, but the countries' geographical distance has kept them from open confrontation. Syria is one of Israel's neighbouring foes and an ally of Tehran.
"Tonight, two Iranian warships are meant to pass through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea and reach Syria, something that has not happened in many years," Lieberman said in a Jerusalem speech distributed by his office.
"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."
Lieberman added that Israel was the only true ally of the West in the Middle East "because it is the only state in the region that shares common values (with it)".
"Our fight against terror is not just Israel's fight, but also the first line of defense in the battle of the Jewish people and the entire West against extremists that threaten world peace," he said.
Ronen Medzini contributed to this report
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