Iran Scoffs at Israel Weapons Claim

W460

Iran dismissed as farcical Tuesday Israel's highly publicized display of weapons it said it had seized from a vessel in the Red Sea bound for Gaza from Iran.

The foreign ministry said a news conference given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday beside the alleged cargo was pure propaganda aimed at torpedoing Iran's growing rapprochement with the West.

"The claim is a farce," foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham told reporters.

"This coincides with the (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) AIPAC meeting in the United States, and when Iran's place in the region and its interaction with different countries are improving."

She said the improved relations between Tehran and Washington had "worried" Israel and prompted it to "resort to its usual tactics."

In Monday's news conference in the Israeli port of Eilat, Netanyahu accused the European Union and the United States of "hypocrisy" for forging ahead with nuclear talks with Iran that have been bitterly opposed by Israel.

Israel paraded the weaponry it said it had seized which included longer-range rockets as well as mortar rounds and rifle cartridges.

It came as EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, the lead negotiator for the major powers in the nuclear talks with Tehran, wrapped up her first visit to Iran.

Comments 5
Thumb mckinl 11 March 2014, 13:18

Nobody believes a word Israel, especially Netanyahu, has to say and for good reason. They have lied at every turn while committing crimes against humanity for decades now ... Israel is now completely alone and rightfully so ...

Thumb Kalzyturks 11 March 2014, 13:28

Don't be fulled Israel is not alone.

Thumb mckinl 11 March 2014, 13:31

The west is turning against the Zionists ... The US and EU can no longer afford to give political cover to Israel's crimes ...

Thumb Kalzyturks 11 March 2014, 13:24

"Bound for Gaza" !?

Gaza is under air land sea blockade. Not even a fly can get through especially via the sea!

The Israeli story doesn't add up.

Missing phillipo 11 March 2014, 15:24

One of these days, whether we agree with Israels' position on the Middle East, the Palestinians, etc., etc, or not, the world, and especially the Arab World is going to wake up and find, maybe too late that Iran has taken of the hegemony of region, not to mention the religion.