Who says Iran’s leaders don’t know how to lighten the mood? With tensions in the Middle East boiling over – and Iran rumored to be behind many of the region’s revolutionary protests – the Islamic Republic is trying to downplay the threat of its decision to send two warships through Egypt’s Suez Canal and emerge off the coast of Israel.
Hard to blame Israeli officials in Tel Aviv for fearing the truth of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinijad’s repeated promises to destroy the Jewish state after getting the news about his navy’s surprise trip. But as proof of Iran’s peaceful intentions the government offered two assurances. First, the ships won’t carry any weapons or nuclear or chemical material. Second, the duo is headed to Syria for training.
Unfortunately for Iran, its dishonest record of nuclear enrichment and ties to terrorist organizations in Syria and elsewhere aren’t fooling anyone – except the weakened Egyptian government looking to avoid a confrontation.
It’s worth noting that an Iranian warship going through the Suez Canal under the Mubarak reign is unthinkable. Now, Israeli officials must consider more unthinkable scenarios with its sworn enemy soon sailing within sight of the Jewish homeland.
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