Israel says Iranian warships near Suez

Jerusalem (CNN) — Two Iranian warships are expected to pass through the Suez Canal Wednesday night on their way to Syria, a move that Israel considers a “provocation” and that sent oil prices soaring.

The passage, which Iran said was part of a training mission, is “something which has not happened in many years,” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said.

“This is a provocation that proves that the self-confidence and insolence of the Iranians is growing from day to day,” he said. “This happens after the Iranian president’s visit to south Lebanon and his aggressive declarations there towards Israel.”

The Israeli Defense Ministry said Israel was monitoring the movement of the Iranian ships and alerted its allies.