Iran's bid to send two naval ships to Syria through the Suez Canal is an attempt to expand its regional influence, and Israel takes a grave view of the move, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. "We can see what an unstable region we live in, an area in which Iran is trying to take advantage of the situation that has arisen and broaden its influence by transferring two warships via the Suez Canal," he said, according to Reuters.
"Israel takes a grave view of this Iranian step," Netanyahu said, adding his country would need to boost defense spending.
Earlier, Suez Canal officials said the two ships were due to sail through the waterway to the Mediterranean on Monday, while Iran said that the vessels had already crossed.
