Hardline Netanyahu in new anti-Iran war threats

Israeli PM tours German-made submarine that can launch missiles carrying nuclear warheads.

ON BOARD THE INS EILAT - Hardline Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured a naval vessel on Tuesday, using the backdrop of his country's military power to make fresh threats against Iran.

"The threat that Iran poses is very grave for the state of Israel," Netanyahu said aboard the INS Eilat, a missile ship.

Netanyahu also toured one of Israel's three German-made, Dolphin-class submarines, the country's most expensive weapons platform.

According to specialist newsletter Jane's Defence Weekly, the submarines, known as U212s, are designed for a crew of 35, have a range of 4,500 kilometres (2,810 miles) and can launch cruise missiles carrying nuclear warheads.

However, when it confirmed the sale in 2006, the German government said the two vessels were not equipped to carry nuclear weapons.

Israeli media have reported that the Dolphin submarine could be key to any attack on Iran.

An Israeli submarine passed through the Suez Canal for the first time in June, escorted by Egyptian navy vessels, in what Israeli media said was intended as a message to Iran.

Iran insists it has the right to develop nuclear technology, which it says is aimed at generating energy for its growing population.

Although Iran has oil, it is still dependent on petrol imports to meet about 40 percent of domestic consumption.

Israel is the only country in the Middle Ease that actually has nuclear weapons.

Observers say due the strong Jewish and pro-Israel lobbies in the US and some European countries, these countries have taken a hypocritical stance in relation to nuclear issues in the region.

Tehran had repeatedly protested against Israeli and US war threats, warning them that it would retaliate in the event of any strike against Iran.

Tehran is not liked in Tel Aviv because of its strong criticism of the long and brutal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Tehran also accuses Israel of having a role in training the notorious former Iranian secret police during the era of the ruthless US-backed dictator, the shah, who were involved in torturing Iranians before the 1979 revolution.