Africa

Home page

Africa

Egypt weighs Iran’s request for Suez Canal transit

19 February 2011 01:12 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Egypt’s Defense Ministry is reviewing a request of two Iranian naval vessels to transit the Suez Canal, Egypt’s state TV said Friday, after Israel’s foreign minister labeled the attempted passage a provocation, APA reports quoting â€œAssociated Pressâ€.
Iranian officials said the request is in line with international regulations.
It is believed to be the first time since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution that Iranian warships are attempting to pass through the Suez Canal, which links the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
Iranian officials have said the two vessels, currently in international waters, are headed to Syria for training.
There had been contradictory reports on whether Egyptian authorities are considering the request, but state TV said Friday the Defense Ministry is reviewing the case.
Egypt has been run by an army-led transition government since last week’s ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising. Iran’s request could pose the first diplomatic dilemma for Egypt’s new rulers.
A Suez Canal official said Egypt can only deny transit through the waterway in case of war.
Earlier this week, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Iran’s attempt to send warships through the canal is a provocation.
Israel considers Iran an existential threat because of its disputed nuclear program, ballistic missile development, support for militants in the region and its threats to destroy Israel.