Egypt gets Suez Canal request from Iran warships

CAIRO Feb 18 (Reuters) - Egypt said on Friday it had received a request for Iranian naval vessels to pass through the Suez Canal, a move Israel's right-wing foreign minister has described as "provocative".

"We sent it to the relevant authorities," the Foreign Ministry spokesman told Reuters, adding the request had been passed to the Defence Ministry and the Suez Canal Authority.

He did not say when any decision on such a crossing would be made. To pass through the strategic waterway, naval vessels need the approval of the foreign and defence ministries. Iran has said the two ships, a frigate and supply ship, planned to cross. (Writing by Edmund Blair)