Iranian Majlis National Security Council Mahmoud Ahmadi Bighash has said that due to Egypt's refusal to permit the Iranian flotilla to Gaza to pass through its territory, Iran is currently awaiting Russia's approval for the flotilla to pass via the Caspian Sea.
He said that the flotilla to Gaza, which is expected to carry also four Majlis members, is supposed to go via the Caspian Sea, the Volga River, the Sea of Marmara, and the Mediterranean.
However, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry has rejected Iran's claim that Egypt is opposed to the flotilla's passage through its territorial waters, and said that Iran is lying with the aim of blaming Egypt for its own backing down from its decision to send a ship to Gaza.
Source: Fars, Iran, June 27, 2010; http://www.ahram.org.eg/211/2010/06/28/31/26947.aspx, June 28, 2010.
