Israel urges Brazil to expel Iranian warships

JERUSALEM

Israel officially asked Brazil on Thursday to expel two Iranian warships from its ports, days after Brasilia had granted them permission to dock in Rio de Janeiro.

In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry regarded Brazil’s decision to grant berth to the warships as "a dangerous and regretful development."

"It is still not too late to order the (Iranian) ships to leave the port," the statement said, urging Brazil to classify the Iranian government as a "terror entity."

"Brazil should not grant any prize to a malign state responsible for numerous violations of human rights against its own citizens, executing terrorist attacks all over the world and proliferating weaponry to terrorist organizations all over the Middle East," the ministry said.

Brazilian authorities have yet to comment on the Israeli statement.

Rivalry between Israel and Iran has been heightened in recent years as the two sides accuse each other of targeting their facilities and interests in the Middle East.

Israel also accuses Iran of seeking to build a nuclear bomb, a claim denied by Tehran, which says its nuclear program is designed for peaceful purposes.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar