Sources at the Suez Canal Authority dismissed allegations from Iran and world press agencies that Iranian aid to Gaza has been denied passage through the canal. The sources said they have not received any requests to cross from Iran or maritime intermediaries.
The Iranian Red Crescent declared on Sunday that it had postponed sending Gaza-bound ships due to refusal by the canal’s management to let them through, as well as Israeli restrictions. The vessels had been preparing to sail from Bandar Abbas port on the Arabian Gulf.
The sources said the canal authority is obliged to open the canal to any passing ship as long as its owner’s country is not at war with Egypt, according to the Constantinople Agreement of 1881. They added that Egypt will continue to allow aid shipments to pass through the canal to Gaza coasts.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
