Iranian warships return through Suez

Two Iranian warships passed through the Suez Canal a second time on their way home after a stop in Syria.

The frigate and supply ship began crossing the canal early Thursday morning. They had arrived at Syria’s main port at Latakia last week after becoming the first Iranian naval ships to pass through the canal since the 1979 Iranian revolution.

The Egyptian Defense Ministry gave permission for the ships to pass through the Suez Canal.

The ships were in Syria for what was described as “training.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said last week that his government took a “grave view” of Iran’s plan to send the warships.

According to international rules governing navigation through the Suez Canal, no vessel can be denied passage unless it is at war with Egypt.