Posted on 03/05/2014 12:43:11 PM PST by shepardspie33
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki confirmed on Wednesday that "the Israeli government interdicted a shipment of illicit Iranian arms," adding that the US was ready to act before Israel made its move.
"The White House directed the Department of Defense to monitor the vessel," Psaki said, adding that the US prepared to take "unilateral steps" to stop the shipment. Israel volunteered to handle the ship itself, she added.
The transfer of arms would amount to a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, Psaki noted.
The Israel Navy intercepted an Iranian arms smuggling ship carrying dozens of long-range rockets to Gaza near Port Sudan early on Wednesday.
Iranian and Hamas denial
An official source in the Iranian armed forces told Iranian Tasnim news agency on Wednesday that the IDF accusation that arms found on a ship came from Tehran is "baseless and false."
Gaza was quick to deny knowledge of the incoming shipment of arms, saying that Israeli claims were a "dangerous move" to justify Israel's naval blockade of the coastal enclave.
Spokesman for the Gaza Ministry of Interior Islam Shahwan told journalists to avoid "being tricked by the Israeli narrative about capturing a ship carrying weapons to Gaza."
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
"Ready to Act": Obama was gearing up to express deep concern about the arms shipment, but then Israel took action.
Can our State department get any more disgusting?
wait, don’t answer that.
Smart move by Israel to step in and take care of it regardless of representations they may have received from Washington. They have to know by now that Obama is trying to wrong-foot them at every turn and would have purposely dropped the ball on this interception.
oh man your comment made me laugh pretty hard, because that is exactly something he would say
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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We knew about it, we would have done something, but Israel volunteered. Why is the administration talking about this. Israel captured an illegal shipment of arms. Great. They should. We should too, but it's OK if Israel does. The apologetics tell me the administration wouldn't have acted. What other reason for excuses rather than kudus to an ally for a job well done. Related threads
Footage Released from IDF Raid on Iranian Weapons Ship
Israel says seized Gaza-bound rocket shipment from Iran
US and Israel Worked Together to Track, Raid Iranian Weapon Ship, White House reveals its role in
Israeli Navy Captures Iranian Boat Loaded With Syrian Missiles Destined for Gaza
Sure. We all believe you./sarc
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