Iranian Warships Pass Through Suez--In Accordance With The Constantinople Convention

The Suez Maritime Canal shall always be free and open, in time of war as in time of peace, to every vessel of commerce or of war, without distinction of flag.

Consequently, the High Contracting Parties agree not in any way to interfere with the free use of the Canal, in time of war as in time of peace.

The Canal shall never be subjected to the exercise of the right of blockade.
Article I of the Constantinople Convention of the Suez Canal

And that's that.

And even if Iran were to be classified as a belligerent--which it is to Israel but not to Egypt--it would make no difference. According to Article IV:

The Maritime Canal remaining open in time of war as a free passage, even to ships of war of belligerents, according to the terms of Article I of the present Treaty, the High Contracting Parties agree that no right of war, no act of hostility, nor any act having for its object to obstruct the free navigating of the Canal, shall be committed in the Canal and its ports...

There were rumors that the US was going to send in ships to block their path, but bottom line: there really was no way stop the Iranian ships from passing through.

So off they going, after having paid their $300,000 fee for passage through the Suez Canal.

Still, wouldn't you like to know what Iran is really up to?

Technorati Tag: Iran and Suez Canal.