Iran threat steers Israeli navigation of Red Sea

An Israel Navy (IN) Dolphin-class (Type 800) attack submarine has crossed the Suez Canal for the first time and conducted manoeuvres in the Red Sea that are widely perceived to be another signal to Iran about Israeli intentions.

The IN has until now been reluctant to send the nuclear-capable submarines into the Red Sea, since in passing through the shallow Suez Canal they are exposed to the possibility of attacks from shore.

A defence source told Jane's on 6 July that the manoeuvres, which began in mid-June, involved a drill in the Red Sea by the Leviathan , which returned to its Haifa base on 5 July. The vessel had been seen docking at the IN base in Eilat in late June.

The manoeuvres are also significant as the latest sign of deepening ties with Egypt, because of the need to co-ordinate with Cairo before the exercises could proceed. The two countries have intensified their co-operation since November 2008, when Israeli intelligence unveiled a plot by the Lebanese guerrilla movement Hizbullah to target attacks against Egyptian and Israeli government sites.

The three Dolphin-class submarines are considered a major Israeli strategic asset, believed capable of launching nuclear-tipped, long-range cruise missiles.