Egypt's military is studying an Iranian request to send two naval warships through the Suez Canal and had been told the vessels did not carry military equipment, nuclear or chemical contents, an army statement said on Friday.
"Egyptian armed forces have received a request through the Egyptian Foreign Ministry from the Islamic Republic of Iran's affairs office in Cairo requesting the passage of two Iranian warships," according to a statement given to Reuters by an army source.
"The request said the ships do not carry any military equipment, nuclear or chemical contents. The Defense Ministry is currently studying the request," it said.
The source said the ships were in regional waters in the Red Sea and said a decision on whether to approve passage could be made Friday or Saturday.
