Iranian warships to pass through the Suez Canal

18.02.2011 Two Iranian warships are on their way to the Suez Canal with the view to pass it through, reported Thursday Iran's governmental TV channel Press TV referring to the national navy.

According to the representative of Iranian Navy, official Tehran had discussed the forthcoming passage with Egyptian agencies authorized to allow naval ships passing the canal, and received no objections.

Earlier on, Reuters quoted representative of Suez Canal administration Ahmed Al-Manahli saying that Iranian warships had not passed the canal on Thursday and were not in the Friday's passage list.

According to another official from the canal administration, his office was informed that the scheduled passage of the Suez Canal by Iranian warships had been canceled. Reportedly, the new date has not been determined.

As of Thursday, Iranian frigate Alvand and auxiliary vessel Kharg stayed in Saudi port Jidda, added the source.

Recall the statement of Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Liberman saying on Feb 16 that it is the first time in long period Iran intends to dispatch its warships through the Suez Canal, and called this plans a provocation which can considerably strain the situation in the Middle East.