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World Jewish News
Israel Anxious: Russian fleet Livens Up at the Shores of Iran
30.05.2009
A squad of combatant ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet, consisting of a large anti-submarine ship "Admiral Panteleev" and a service boat "Izhor" arrived in the port of Manama (Bahrain), which is regarded as one of the main American military command posts in the Persian Gulf. This was reported by Debka < i> site.
According to the publication, it is the first case of a Russian military ship entering the port of Bahrain, which has hitherto been considered "zone of USA interests." According to the statement by Israeli military, cited by "Debka", the emergence of Russian warships in the Persian Gulf shows the increased activity of Russia in the region a possible US-Iranian confrontation. Sources of the edition also believe that such actions are coordinated between Moscow and Tehran.
In addition, the Israeli military believe that Russian naval ships carry out a reconnaissance mission. This message is supported by the following arguments:
1. There are currently several U.S. Navy ships in the Gulf. However, their number is the smallest in the past two years (the presence of the fleet was reduced by the direct order of President Obama, who intends to start a dialogue with Iran). The Russian navy is trying to verify how accurate this information is.
2. The interest of the Russian fleet in the area is based on the intention of France to open its first naval base in the Persian Gulf.
In turn, the Russian media explain the presence of "Admiral Panteleev" in the Persian Gulf by the fact that since the spring of 2009, it has been taking part in an international operation to combat piracy in the Horn of Africa.
"The visit of Russian warships will last until May 30. The program includes the meetings of the command of the squad of combat ships with the Command of the Navy of Bahrain, port authorities and the governor of metropolitan area, as well as visits on board of the 'Admiral Panteleev' big anti-submarine ship by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation. The command of the squad and the captains
will pay a visit to the headquarters of the Navy operational connections of Bahrain at Dzhufeyr base," explained the representative of the Navy of Russia in an interview with "RIA Novosti" correspondent.
The same representative added that the Russian sailors "will be able to inspect the cultural attractions of Bahrainians, and visit the National Museum."
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