Iranian naval ships would be allowed to sail through the Panama Canal as long as they abide by international norms, Panamanian authorities said on Tuesday following reports that Tehran was sending vessels to the strategic waterway.
An Iranian military presence in the canal would anger the US, which built the channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the beginning of the 20th century, and Washington has warned that it is closely monitoring Tehran’s activity in the western hemisphere.
Citing an 1977 international treaty, which handed control of the canal to Panama and established its neutral status, the Panama Canal said the waterway must “remain safe and open for the peaceful transit,” provided that ships abide by global safety norms, pay tolls and not commit any hostile acts.
Photo: Reuters
“Based on the aforementioned regulations, the Panama Canal Authority has the obligation to allow the passage of any vessel that meets all these requirements,” the agency said in a statement.
Local media have been reporting on the imminent arrival of Iranian Navy ships.
The newspaper La Estrella de Panama wrote on Jan. 13 that Tehran plans to position its warships in the Panama Canal as it seeks to boost its presence in Latin America.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush added fuel to the fire when, in a Washington Post column on Jan. 16, he accused Panama of helping Iran evade Western oil sanctions.
“Without Panama’s support, the Iranian regime would face significant hurdles in smuggling its oil and gas around the world,” Bush wrote.
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