Israel was keeping an eye on February 22 on two Iranian Navy warships that crossed the Suez Canal for the first time in over 30 years in a belligerent move that Israel claims is an attempt by the Islamic Republic to project its power throughout the Middle East.

The two ships - the Khark which has 250 crew members and can carry three helicopters and the Alvand which is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles – entered the Suez Canal early Tuesday morning and arrived in the Mediterranean Sea by the evening, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the passage of Iranian warships through the Suez Canal a ploy by Iran to extend its regional influence at a time of instability.