Iranian presence in Red Sea most significant in a decade: Gantz
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The Israeli Security Minister produces satellite images claiming "unusual" Iranian activity in the Red Sea.
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Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz
While attending the Annual Economist Government Roundtable in Greece, Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz revealed new satellite photographs showing four Iranian military ships in the Red Sea.
According to Gantz's claims, Iran is "expanding its aggressive operations in the region in general and in the naval arena in particular," adding that it's been "unusually" patrolling the Red Sea with its military ships.
Gantz informed the audience that Iran has been extending its marine activity. “Today, we can confirm that Iran is methodically basing itself in the Red Sea, with warships patrolling the southern region,” he stated.
The Israeli minister released satellite photographs of four Iranian military ships in the Red Sea, including the "Hengam" landing ship, two "Bandar Abbas" auxiliary ships, and the "Mowj" frigate.
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Satellite images of four Iranian military ships spotted in the Red Sea
He called it the most "significant" presence in a decade and a "direct threat to trade, energy, and the global economy."
Iran has recently modernized its navy introducing new ships and submarines to supplement older models.
Gantz reiterated "Israel's" paranoid worries, dubbing the country a "regional threat", which is not new, going as far this time as accusing them of potentially threatening Central Europe.
Iran has successfully tested the launch of the locally produced civilian satellite carrier Zoljanah, which is powered by a compound-fuel engine, according to state media, citing the Iranian Defense Ministry's space department.
Citing department spokesperson Ahmad Hosseini, the second launch, like the first, was for scientific purposes, according to IRNA.
Regarding Hezbollah, Gantz accused the Lebanese resistance of "sabotaging" negotiations concerning the Karish gas field dispute, by releasing three drones operated by Hezbollah days ago.
Gantz called the event "an attack on Lebanese citizens, who face extreme economic hardship,” and “shows that Hezbollah is an extension of the Ayatollahs regime - operating to destabilize the region and to cause miscalculations.”
Gantz spoke with the Greek and Cypriot defense ministers on the margins of the conference earlier in the day.
They “covered challenges of mutual interest in the East-Med and areas of cooperation that are critical for the security of our citizens and for the peace and stability in the region,” during his meeting with Cyprus' Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides.
Gantz stated that he met with Greece's Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and addressed "increasing cooperation between the [countries’] military industries, and additional challenges we are facing, first and foremost the Iranian threat.”
