Iranian warships enter Suez Canal amid Israeli concern
LONDON. February 22. KAZINFORM Two Iranian warships have entered the Suez Canal to make a passage to the Mediterranean Sea, canal officials say; Kazinform refers to BBC News.
Iranian officials have said the warships are headed to Syria for training, a mission Israel has described as a "provocation".
"They entered the canal at 0545 (0345 GMT)," Suez Canal officials said.
It is believed to be the first time since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that Iranian warships have passed through the waterway.
Iran's request stated the vessels would have no military equipment, nuclear materials or chemicals on board, the Egyptian defence ministry is quoted as saying.
A Suez Canal official said Egypt could only have denied transit through the strategic waterway in case of war.
See www.bbc.co.uk for full story.