IDF submarine crosses Suez Canal as direct message to Iran - report

According to Arab intelligence that confirmed the reports, the submarine passed the Red Sea and was making its way towards the Persian Gulf.

DECEMBER 22, 2020 09:22

Updated: DECEMBER 22, 2020 11:22

The Dolphin-class submarine first entered service in 2000 (photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT) — The Dolphin-class submarine first entered service in 2000

(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)

An IDF Navy submarine crossed the Suez Canal last week as a direct message to Iran, Kan News reported Monday evening.

Arab intelligence officials reportedly confirmed to Kan News that the Israeli submarine crossed the canal toward Iran visibly above water, in an act meant as a message to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The move was made during a more than usually tense time between Jerusalem and Tehran. It was made possible after receiving an approval from Egyptian authorities.

According to Arab intelligence that confirmed the reports, the submarine passed the Red Sea and was making its way toward the Persian Gulf, in what they believe was meant as a direct threat to Iran.

הצוללת הישראלית בדרך לאיראן - חשיפת כאן חדשות | גורמי מודיעין ערביים: צוללת של חיל הים חצתה את תעלת סואץ באופן גלוי ובאישור מצרי, לכיוון המפרץ הפרסי. הגורמים העריכו שישראל ניסתה להעביר מסר לטהראן. מצה"ל נמסר שהם לא מתייחסים לפרסומים מסוג זה @kaisos1987 #חדשותהערב pic.twitter.com/T67OG9QrMw
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) December 21, 2020

The tension between Israel and Iran has increased dramatically following the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on November 27. Shortly after the assassination, Iran vowed revenge on Israel, which it believes is behind the assassination.

Israel, in turn, responded by raising the level of alertness in its diplomatic delegations abroad.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi addressed the tension with Iran earlier on Monday, assuring a harsh response to any attempt to hurt Israel or its citizens.

"If Iran and its partners from the radical axis... carry out an attack against the State of Israel, they will find the price extremely high," Kochavi said. "The IDF will attack anyone who chooses to participate in – partially or fully, closely or remotely – any action against the State of Israel or Israeli targets."