Egypt Rejects US Demand for Attacking Iranian Vessel

Local Editor

The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority announced Sunday that Egypt's Navy has rejected a US demand to attack an Iranian vessel in the strategic waterway. 

In remarks to both al-Arabiya and al-Hayat TV networks, Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish, also a former commander of the Egyptian Navy, said "the US had requested the Egyptian Navy to attack an Iranian vessel passing through the Suez Canal."

"Our country's naval force rejected the request," he emphasized and pointed out that " the US had claimed that the vessel was carrying arms and heading to Syria, but it presented no proof to substantiate its allegations."

In parallel, the Admiral ruled out the possibility of military operations in the Suez Canal, to guarantee the security of the international waterway.

 In February 2012, Iranian warships made their second ever journey through the Suez Canal following Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution in line with the orders of the Supreme Leader for having a stronger presence in the high seas.

While Egypt has so far allowed two Iranian flotillas to sail through the Canal, the Admiral said his country has refrained from giving permission to US warships to go on a voyage through the waterway.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org