Israel says it takes a "grave" view of Iran's plan to send two warships through Egypt's Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, in what would be Tehran's first such move since its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the comment to his Cabinet Sunday, calling the passage of Iranian warships through the Suez Canal a ploy by Iran to extend its regional influence at a time of instability.

Suez Canal officials say they expect the Iranian frigate and supply ship to enter the waterway Monday en route to Syria. They denied reports by Iranian state-run television that the warships already had crossed the canal Sunday.

Egypt's new military rulers approved an Iranian request for the transit of the two vessels last Friday, despite decades of strained relations between the two sides, VOA reported.