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Israel Warns of ‘Most Significant’ Iranian Presence in Red Sea in 10 Years

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JERUSALEM, Israel - Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday unveiled satellite images he said show Iran ramping up its military presence in the Red Sea. 

"We can confirm that Iran is methodically basing itself in the Red Sea with warships patrolling the southern region. In the last months, We have identified the most significant Iranian military presence in the area, in the past decade,” Gantz told attendees at the 26th Annual Economist Government Roundtable.

Satellite images show four Iranian “warships” patrolling in the Red Sea, Gantz said, warning that their presence poses "a direct threat to peace and stability in the maritime arena, which may affect the Mediterranean and beyond."

The defense minister also said Iran conducted a satellite launcher test last week that could potentially spell trouble for Europe in the future. 

“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 Eastern Mediterranean,” said Gantz. 

Iran has spent the last decade increasing its presence in the Red Sea, which it says is necessary to protect its oil tankers there. 

Israel and several Arab nations have raised concerns about Iran’s growing influence in the region and believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

In May, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized two Greek oil tankers in the Gulf in retaliation for the US confiscating Iranian oil from a tanker held off the Greek coast. Last August, Iranian drones attacked an Israeli-owned tanker, killing two people, British and Romanian nationals, on board. 

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About The Author

Emily
Jones

Emily Jones is a multi-media journalist for CBN News in Jerusalem. Before she moved to the Middle East in 2019, she spent years regularly traveling to the region to study the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, meet with government officials, and raise awareness about Christian persecution. During her college years, Emily served as president of Regent University's Christians United for Israel chapter and spoke alongside world leaders at numerous conferences and events. She is an active member of the Philos Project, an organization that seeks to promote positive Christian engagement with the Middle