An Iranian warship and speed boats take part in a naval war game in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, southern Iran
U.S. Navy ships have taken a lead on security in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran seized a ship there earlier this week. Pictured: An Iranian warship and speedboats take part in a naval war game in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, southern Iran. Reuters

Iranian warships have entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. It is only the second time since 1979, when a revolution established an Islamic Republic in Iran, that this has happened.

According to reports, the vessels are a destroyer named Shahid Qandi and its supply ship Kharg. However, their ultimate destination is unknown. Reuters reported that a source claims the ships may be on their way to Syria.

Reportedly, the ships had docked earlier in the Red Sea port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The head of Iran’s navy, Adm. Habibollah Sayari, told the state-controlled IRNA news agency that the maritime mission was designed to convey both a “show of might” and a message of peace and friendship.”

The strategic navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has passed through the Suez Canal for the second time since the Islamic Revolution, Sayari stated.

Last February, two Iranian vessels also crossed into the Mediterranean, prompting Israel to treat it as a willful “provocation.”

In the latest Mediterranean crossing, the Israeli foreign ministry said it will monitor closely the trajectory of the Iranian ships.

We will closely follow the movement of the two ships to confirm that they do not approach the Israeli coast, an unnamed Israeli official stated.

Tensions between Iran and Israel are at an all-time high -- as Iran speeds up the development of its nuclear power capability, Israel is reportedly preparing to launch a military strike against the Islamic Republic.

Israel has also accused Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, of carrying out recent attacks on Israeli diplomats in India, Thailand and Georgia.

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