The fact that Iranian warships have entered the Suez Canal after an interval of 30 years is evidence of Iran`s desire to show itself a regional leader to the international community, Vardan Voskanyan, Dean of the Department of Oriental Studies, Yerevan State University, told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He stressed Iran is actually a regional leader - a fact the international community will not admit. "Teheran`s latest step is aimed at proving the fact to the world. Moreover, Iranian warships entering the Suez Canal is a challenge to Israel, and Tel Avid is already nervous about it," the expert said. At present, amid unrest in the Middle East, Iran and Syria are the only stability islands in the region. Voskanyan pointed out that Iran was permitted to enter the Suez Canal long before the provisional government came to power in Egypt. "And Egypt`s provisional government had to put up with the fact and allow Iranian warships to enter the Suez Canal for the purpose of participating in military maneuvers jointly with Syria," Voskanyan said.

Two Iranian warships entered the Suez Canal on Tuesday morning, the Jerusalem Post reported quoting an official.

They are expected to enter the Mediterranean Sea later today. Israeli officials have not responded to this information so far.

Earlier Israel said it is monitoring the vessels. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Tehran is trying to take advantage of the instability in Egypt calling the move "an Iranian attempt to expand its influence in the region."

It is the first time Iranian warships have entered the Canal since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.