Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that Iran has several warships stationed in the Red Sea, calling it a threat to regional and global stability.
"Iran is expanding its aggressive operations in the region in general, and in the naval arena in particular," Gantz said at an event in Greece.
The Israeli minister shared satellite images of what he identified as four Iranian warships, according to The Jerusalem Post newspaper.
"Today, we can confirm that Iran is methodically basing itself in the Red Sea, with warships patrolling the southern region," he said.
"The presence of Iran's military forces in the Red Sea in recent months is the most significant in a decade. It is a direct threat to trade, energy and the global economy," Gantz said.
The Israeli defense minister termed Iran as a "prime example of a widespread regional and global threat."
"It recently conducted an experiment in Semnan province with a satellite launcher, whose technology could be used to develop a long-range intercontinental missile with a range of thousands of kilometers that could also threaten Central Europe," Gantz said.
Last week, Tehran carried out the second test of the Zuljanah satellite launcher.
"This test demonstrates that the Iranian regime has the capabilities to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles that may reach as far as the center of Europe. This is in addition to operational ballistic systems and UAVs that can already reach the East Med," Gantz said.
There was no comment from Tehran on the Israeli minister's allegation.
Writing by Ahmed Asmar -
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