Suez Canal says Iran navy ships passage delayed
Egypt postpones passage of Iranian vessels through Suez Canal en route to Syria by 48 hours. US says closely monitoring situation
The passage of two Iranian naval vessels through the Suez Canal has been delayed by 48 hours, a canal official said on Sunday.
The frigate and supply ship had been due to enter the canal with the northbound convoy that moves daily at 6 am (0400 GMT) on Monday.
The passage through the canal would be a first for Iranian naval vessels since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.
The US State Department told Ynet in response that it was aware that Egypt had allowed the Iranian ships to cross the canal and noted the US was closely monitoring the situation.
Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Arabic language state television channel Al Alam TV reported that two Iranian navy vessels had already crossed the canal and were en route to Syria.
The canal officials denied the report report.
The Egyptian military, which has been running Egypt since Mubarak quit on Feb. 11, approved Iran's request to send the ships through the canal on Friday.
"We can see what an unstable region we live in, an area in which Iran is trying to take advantage of the situation that has arisen and broaden its influence by transferring two warships via the Suez Canal," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks to his cabinet.
"Israel takes a grave view of this Iranian step," he said, adding the Jewish state would need to boost defense spending as a result of Tehran's move and recent regional upheaval.
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