"Irex" again deployed in 1956 to the Mediterranean with units of the Sixth Fleet. In the developing Middle East crisis that culminated in the nationalization of the Suez Canal in July 1956, and armed conflict between Egypt and the forces of France, Israel, and the United Kingdom, U.S. Naval forces acted early to support America's policy. In February, patrols in the Red Sea and along the Israeli-Egyptian border were established as a means of expressing American interest in the peaceful outcome of the crisis. Returning to New London, she resumed her operations and also served as training ship for submarine students.