Friday 18 February 2011

Egypt Allows Iran Warships to Transit Suez: Report

Author: WebsiteTeam Network

Egypt gave permission on Friday for Iranian warships to transit the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, state media reported, after Israel described move as a "provocation."

"Egypt agreed to allow two Iranian warships to transit the Suez Canal, the official MENA news agency reported.

Canal officials say it would be the first time Iranian warships have transited the passage since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Two days ago, Israeli Foreign Minister called the move provocative and hinted at an Israeli response. "Tonight, two Iranian warships are meant to pass through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea and reach Syria, something that has not happened in many years," Lieberman said in a speech distributed by his office.

"To my regret, the international community is not showing readiness to deal with the recurring Iranian provocations. The international community must understand that Israel cannot forever ignore these provocations," the Israeli foreign minister has claimed.

Source: Agencies

Egypt allows two Iranian warships to cross the Suez .. (WINEP weighs in!)



"... a move that puts the country's new military regime in a prickly position with its Israeli neighbor.They are expected to be the first Iranian warships to sail through the Suez since the Islamic republic's 1979 revolution....
"This is awkward -- at a minimum," said David Schenker, director of the Program on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Schenker said the Iranians had asked for a frigate -- the Alvand -- and a military supply ship -- the Kharg -- to cross into the Mediterranean. Both are armed with missiles, he said. Their passage would create more uncertainty in the region. "It's destabilizing. It raises tension, particularly in this time of transition in Egypt," Schenker said. "This is typical of Syrian-Iranian opportunism.".."
Posted by G, Z, or B at 2:45 PM
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