Iranian warships to attempt Suez trip: Israel

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that two Iranian warships are about the transit the Suez Canal — a move he described as a "provocation."

Liberman said the ships were due to enter the canal later on Wednesday on their way to Syria.

"The international community must understand that Israel cannot ignore these provocations forever," Lieberman said in a statement. "We expect the international community to act with haste and determination against the Iranian provocations that are intended to destabilize the situation in the region."

No Iranian naval ships have made the trip through the Suez in more than 30 years.

Egypt, which controls the Suez, said warships are required to give 48 hours notice to enter the canal. The head of the canal operations room said Iran had not filed any notice of such a trip.

While Iranian warships are entitled to use the canal, Israel views Iran and its military as a major and constant threat, given Iran's often-stated vow to destroy the Israeli state and its support for Israel's enemies.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said Israel was "closely following the movements of the Iranian ships and has updated friendly states on the issue."

The White House said it was aware of the canal transit plans of the Iranian warships but offered no further comment.