The two vessels are headed for Syria. Tehran states that they do not carry weapons and do not contain chemical or nuclear material. The U.S. government "closely" following the situation, Israel speaks of "provocation." It would be the first passage of Iranian warships since 1979.

Cairo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Egypt has approved the passage of two Iranian warships – headed toward Syria - through the Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean. The news was confirmed by military sources in Cairo and has exacerbated tensions in the Middle East, leading to an increase in oil prices. Tehran states that the boats - the first to receive authorization for transit since 1979 - do not carry weapons or chemical or nuclear material.

The Iranian warships are directed to Syria, where they will dock "for a few days" after crossing the Suez Canal. The official IRNA news agency, quoting the Iranian ambassador to Syria Ahmad Moussavi, adds that the passage of boats is "a matter of routine under international law." Once arrived at their destination, they will take part in exercises.

So far, the Egyptian officials involved in the control of the Suez Canal have not clarified the timing and modalities of the passage of  the Iranian warships. In order to use the channel permission must be granted by Cairo’s Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Ministry. Egypt is obliged to give permission for the passage if the country of origin of the boats is not at war with Cairo.

If confirmed, the Iranian military ships to pass through the channel would be the first since 1979, the year of the Islamic revolution that gave power to the ayatollahs in Tehran. The decision by the Egyptian authorities has exacerbated tensions in the Middle East - already marked by riots across different states – and has led to a surge in oil prices.

The White House spokesman Jay Carney confirmed that the U.S. government "is closely monitoring the situation" and added: Iran is not among the countries that can claim the distinction "of responsible behavior in the region."

The Suez Canal is 190 km long and allows the transport of about 2.5% of the world’s crude, according to data reported by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The section holds strategic importance for the passage of goods between Asia and Europe. In recent days, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has called the passage of the Iranian ships a "provocation" and said: Israel “will not always ignore "gestures of this kind.

• EGYPT
• IRAN
• Suez
• canal
• warships
• oil
• prices
• middle
• east
• riots