Iranian warships enter Mediterranean

Israel says it will respond immediately to any "provocation" by the ships and has put its navy forces on high alert.

JERUSALEM: Two Iranian warships entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Suez Canal on Tuesday, in what Israel has repeatedly called a provocation.

Officials at the canal authority confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the two vessels had reached the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean after travelling up the canal.

"They are now in Mediterranean waters," an official told AFP in Cairo.

The patrol frigate Alvand and support ship Kharg are the first Iranian warships to pass through the canal since the 1979 Islamic revolution, and are reportedly bound for Syria, a journey that would take them past Israel's territorial waters.

An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman had earlier urged world powers to respond "firmly" as the two vessels entered the Suez Canal.

"We are talking about an unprecedented Iranian military presence in the Mediterranean, and that is a provocation to which the international community must react firmly," foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP.

Public radio, quoting unnamed senior officials, said Israel knew where the ships were and was holding situational assessments with US officials. The radio also said Prime Minister Netanyahu had discussed the matter with US Ambassador James Cunningham.

On Sunday, Netanyahu dismissed the move as an Iranian power play.

"Iran is trying to profit (from the regional instability) by extending its influence by dispatching two warships to cross the Suez Canal," he said, while warning Israel regarded such a move "with gravity."

The Kharg has a crew of 250 and can carry up to three helicopters. The Alvand is armed with torpedos and anti-ship missiles.

The enmity between Iran and Israel has worsened under the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has frequently predicted that the Jewish state will be wiped off the map.

Israel to react to any 'provocation' by Iran ships

Israel will respond immediately to any "provocation" by the two Iranian warships and has put its navy forces on high alert, a senior Israeli source told AFP today.

The source said the Israeli navy had heightened its alert and was closely monitoring the vessels.

The source said Israel would "not initiate any action" against the Iranian vessels, but if the Iranians deviated in any way that could be considered "a provocation" there would be an "immediate Israeli response."

He said discussions had been held, and the Israeli forces already had their orders on how to respond.