Two Iranian military vessels entered the Suez Canal this morning on
their way to the Mediterranean Sea, Reuters reports.
Iran's frigate Alvand and its support vessel Kharg were expected to
arrive on Monday.
This is the first time Iranian military vessels have crossed the canal
since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. They arrived for annual military
training.
Egyptian authorities accepted Iran's request to allow the vessels to
pass. Iran reported that there were no weapons on board the vessels.
The event caused Israeli concern as the vessels were to arrive in
Syria, a country with which Israel is formally at war. Israeli Foreign
Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that the vessels are a provocation
demonstrating Iran's "impudence".
The Suez Canal is one of the world's main transport arteries allowing
vessels to travel from Europe to Asia with no need to by-pass Africa.
45-50 vessels travel through the canal daily.
