Questions surrounding Israel's acquisition of additional Dolphin-class submarines from Germany surfaced in Berlin in recent days. Focus, a German magazine known as a sporadic vehicle for "leaks" from unnamed German government sources, reported that Berlin had decided to deny Israel approval to purchase the submarines because it feared an arms race in the Middle East. German government officials did not respond to requests for information on the sale, and an Israeli government official told STRATFOR that Israel had not been notified of any German denial. However, the story tracks with a strategic question about U.S.-European agendas for the Middle East. Berlin might hope to leverage the Dolphin sale to get Washington to back off its condemnation of the Iranian nuclear program. The move will give Washington pause — and will further strain already aggravated ties between Israel and Europe.