Iranian ships carrying humanitarian aid head for Gaza

[ 14/06/2010 - 06:55 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Iranian national radio reported on Monday that Tehran sent two ships to aid the besieged Gaza Strip, confirming that one of the ships left the port on Sunday, while the other will leave by next Friday, loaded with food, construction materials, and toys.

Sources from the Iranian military confirmed that Iran would not provide military protection for these vessels. Hossein Salami, deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guard, said in response to reports that his troops will provide military escort for the vessels going into Gaza, "Such matters as this are not on our agenda."

In past instances, Iran has sent aid to Gaza via Egypt. It is not yet clear whether these ships will follow the same route or attempt to dock in Gaza itself.

On a similar note, a delegation of members of the Iranian parliament plan to travel to Gaza via Egypt. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of foreign policy and national security in the Iranian parliament, said that Egyptian authorities are "positive" in the proposed visit by parliamentarians, but did not issue a formal approval.

The French News Agency quoted the Iranian media as saying that about a quarter of the Iranian parliament's 291 members expressed their desire to visit Gaza.

The Iranian daily news also reported that an officer from a youth organization under the Iranian Red Crescent Society said that about 100,000 Iranians have volunteered to be crew members of ships carrying humanitarian aid.

Iran's actions are in response to the Zionist massacre against the Freedom Flotilla on May 31, which resulted in nine Turkish deaths and dozens of injuries.

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