Iran Rejects Israeli 'Lies' On Gaza Weapons Ship

A rocket is seen on a ship seized by the Israel in the Red Sea in this handout picture released by the Israel Defense Forces on March 5.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has rejected as "lies" an Israeli claim that it intercepted a ship carrying advanced rockets sent by Tehran to the Gaza Strip.

Zarif wrote on Twitter that it was an "amazing coincidence" that the ship was captured "just in time" for the annual conference of a pro-Israeli lobby in Washington.

Israel intercepted the vessel in the Red Sea on March 5 and said Syrian-made weapons aboard had been shipped to Iran and then onward by sea, intended for Palestinian militants in Gaza.

The annual conference of the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was held on March 4 in Washington and was addressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, Netanyahu said Iran was the most urgent threat for Israel.

Based on reporting by AFP and RFE/RL