'Iranian warships arrive at Syrian port'

By JPOST.COM STAFF AND REUTERS
18/02/2012

Ships from Iran's 18th fleet cross Suez Canal, dock in Syria for second time in a year, Mehr reports.


Two Iranian warships that passed through the Suez Canal earlier this week docked in Syria on Saturday, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

The ships from Iran's 18th fleet - which is comprised of a Khark supplier and Shahid Naqdi destroyers - had stopped in Jedda, Saudi Arabia earlier this month, according to Iran's state Press TV.

Earlier Saturday, Iranian Admiral Habibollah Sayari told a crowd of military leaders and naval personnel that the ships had crossed the Canal for the "second time since the Islamic revolution," according to the Iran's official IRNA.

Iran and Syria agreed to cooperate on naval training a year ago, and Tehran has no naval agreement with any other country in the region.

Two Iranian warships sailed along the strategic waterway on February 17 last year, in a move that Israel called a "provocation".



US and Israeli naval craft were entitled by UN sanctions to intercept and search the Kharq supply ship carrying illegal arms and military equipment for Bashar Assad’s army as it sailed past Israel’s Mediterranean coast with the Sahid Qandi destroyer. But they abstained from doing so for fear of a firefight at sea with the Iranian destroyer.

The Egyptian Suez authorities were equally wary of trouble and so did not exercise their authority to search the arms vessel.

The US and Israel therefore let Iran get away with establishing three disagreeable facts:

1. A precedent for bringing arms to the Assad regime and the Lebanese Hizballah group without being challenged;

2. Iran flaunted its comradeship with Russia for buttressing the Assad regime and warding off Western-Arab military intervention by their military strength. Its warship entered Tartus and docked alongisde the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and its strike group.

3. Tehran felt it could safely ignore the warning that “Israel is watching Iran’s military movements in the Mediterranean” which came from “military sources” tardily after the two warships were berthed at Tartus ready to unload their cargo.

Israel did not interfere either when exactly a year ago, the Kharq passed through the Suez Canal on its way past the Israeli coast to deliver missiles for Hizballah, even though Defense Minister Ehud Barak said at the time that the Israel Navy would halt the ship if it was laden with arms.
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Sunday, February 19, 2012



Iranian FM Salehi appreciates Egypt for cooperation with Iranian Navy warships


Salehi appreciates Egypt for cooperation with Iranian Navy warships
News Code: 30826112 (2409071) Publish Date :
30/11/1390 - 19:24
http://www.irna.ir/News/Politic/Salehi-appreciates-Egypt-for-cooperation-with-Iranian-Navy-warships/30826112

Tehran, Feb 19, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi appreciated Egypt for its cooperation with the Iranian Navy warships passing through the Suez Canal.

Talking to reporters after the end of a cabinet session, he added that the Iranian warships have passed through Suez Canal for the second time since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, noting this reveals Iran’s status in the region.

He also said that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent visit to Pakistan resulted in numerous economic, security and political achievements and was successful.
he referred to the trilateral Iran-Pakistan-Afghanistan summit and said Iran is the founder and initiator of such summits.

Pointing to the joint statement of the Islamabad Summit, Salehi said that it includes useful items which can pave the way for taking great steps in line with promoting peace and security in the region.

The fourth round of the trilateral summit will be held in Kabul before the advent of the fasting month of Ramadan, Salehi said.

As to the Iran's talks with 5+1 Group, he said that the talks will more probably be held in Istanbul, he said, noting that Iran is ready for negotiations whenever the other party gets ready.


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