Madrid , Spain ( CNN ) -- Israel 's president called the presence of Iranian warships in the Suez Canal a `` provocation '' and not a serious `` threat , '' but he warned an audience of Europeans that they face an `` existential '' danger from the regime 's nuclear program . In Iran , a military commander expressed patriotic pride over the development : the first Iranian vessels to sail through the Suez since the Islamic republic 's 1979 revolution . The rhetoric from the two Mideast enemies flowed after two Iranian ships sailed through the Suez Canal Tuesday on their way to the Mediterranean Sea . The move , which occurred four days after Egypt 's post-Hosni Mubarak government gave the green light to their passage , put Egypt 's new military regime in a prickly position with its Israeli neighbor . Israeli President Shimon Peres , speaking on Wednesday at a meeting with government leaders , diplomats and journalists in Madrid , said that while Iran 's Suez trip was a `` cheap provocation , '' it is not by itself a serious `` threat . '' `` The real threat stands as a clear warning sign to you and the entire world -- Iran is developing nuclear weapons of mass destruction , '' Peres said , according to a statement from his office citing his comments . `` When nuclear weapons fall into the hands of terror organizations , or Iranian proxies , European capitals will be under an existential threat . Spain has suffered terribly from terror attacks and this will be the lot of many other countries in the world if they do not take drastic measures against Iran . Iran desires to take over the entire Middle East and impose its radical religious hegemony on the inhabitants of the Middle East , '' he said , according to the statement . The commander of Iran 's navy said Tuesday that `` the presence '' of the ships in the Suez means Iran can `` turn threats into opportunities . '' `` Iran has always proved that , with guidance of the supreme leader and awareness and intelligence of young people , has reached self-confidence , and the presence of Iran 's Navy flotilla in the Suez Canal is another proof , '' Fars News Agency reported . The vessels , a frigate and supply ship , are on a yearlong intelligence-gathering mission to prepare cadets to defend Iran 's cargo ships and oil tankers from the threat of attack by Somali pirates , Iranian officials have said , according to Fars . The Khark and the Alvand , which passed through the canal without incident , are headed to Syria , Fars said , citing officials . The Khark has 250 crew members and can carry three helicopters . Alvand is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles , Fars said . Egypt has sovereignty over the canal . But the country also is bound by the 1978 Camp David Accords , which guarantee the right of free passage by ships belonging to Israel and all other nations on the basis of the Constantinople Convention of 1888 . Before that , Egypt did not allow Israeli ships to sail through the canal . The Suez Canal is a key waterway for international trade . It connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea , allowing ships to navigate between Europe and Asia without having to go around Africa . Millions of barrels of oil move through the Suez every day en route to Europe and North America .
Shimon Peres says the `` real threat '' is Iran 's nuclear program . The Iranian navy 's commander says the trip represents Iran 's `` self-confidence '' and that Israel will not allow it to be used as a cover for an attack on Iran.