Iran says it will deploy ships in Atlantic Ocean

Lately there has been a lot of chatter about possible Israeli, or even UK and US, actions against Iran's nuclear program. I don't like reporting on rumors; there are reasons to be skeptical and there are plenty of others who are discussing this, not the least the Israeli media.

Beyond that, an Israeli missile test has been framed as a provocative act meant to send a message to Iran.

However, among all the arguments about whether Israel is being reckless and irresponsible, no one is noticing that Iran has ratcheted up tensions on their own - and the media ignored it.

From Tehran Times:

Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed on Monday that Iran plans to deploy naval vessels in the Atlantic Ocean.

“The Navy has a strong presence in the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman, Indian Ocean and international waters and soon it will be present in the Atlantic Ocean,” Vahidi said as he visited the manufacturing of a destroyer in Anzali port on the coasts of the Caspian Sea.

From PressTV:

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says Iran will seeks to increase presence in international waters is in accordance with international law.

International waters belong to all countries and Iran's naval presence in the waters is in compliance with the international law, said Sayyari on Monday.

The commander pointed to the Iranian Navy's three-year presence in international waters and said that Iran's 16th fleet of warships is currently present in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, IRNA reported.

On October 9, the fleet of warships, which includes the domestically-built Jamaran destroyer and the Bandar Abbas frigate, left for the Gulf of Aden in line with efforts to provide security for Iranian trade vessels in the pirate-infested area.

Sayyari emphasized that as stated by the commander-in-chief, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran has no intention of carrying out acts of aggression against any country and Iranian naval presence in international waters displays the might of the nation.

He highlighted the significance of Iran's naval presence to provide food, energy and sea trade security and said it would prepare the grounds for the country's development.

The Iranian commander questioned US presence in the region and stressed that regional countries are fully capable of establishing regional security.

Sayyari's remarks came as Iran's domestically-manufactured Jamaran destroyer docked at Oman's port of Salalah on Monday.

Sending ships to NATO territory? Sure sounds like a provocation.

(h/t Yoel)