Iranian TV claims ships have already made first passage through canal since 1979
The passage of two Iranian naval vessels through the Suez Canal has been delayed by 48 hours, canal officials said Sunday, denying a report from Iran that said the ships had already gone through the waterway.
The frigate and supply ship had been due to enter the canal with the northbound convoy that moves daily at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Monday.
The passage through the canal would be a first for Iranian naval vessels since Iran's 1979 Islamicrevolution
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Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Arabic language state television channel Al Alam TV reported that the ships had passed through the Suez Canal.
The military, which has been running Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak was toppled Feb. 11, approved Iran's request to send the ships through the canal, an Egyptian army source said Friday.
The request was a difficult one for Egypt's interim government. Cairo is an ally of the United States and has a peace treaty with Israel, and its relations with Iran have been strained since Iran's 1979 revolution.
Video: Report: Iran warships to sail through Suez Canal (on this page)The plan to send the ships through the canal is an attempt by Iran to expand its regional influence, and Israel takes a grave view of the move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.
"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," he said in public remarks to his cabinet.
"Israel takes a grave view of this Iranian step," Netanyahu said, adding the Jewish state would need to boost defense spending as a result of Tehran's move and recent regional upheaval.
Video: Report: Iran warships to sail through Suez Canal
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Reportedly two Iranian warships are en route to the Suez Canal, despite Israel expressing concern over their passage. NBC's Martin Fletcher reports.
Video: Iranian warships request Suez passage
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Iran has asked the Egyptian army for permission to move two warships through the Suez Canal. This has sparked tension in the Middle East and has Israel's foreign minister calling the request "a provocation." NBC's Martin Fletcher reports.
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