The Iranian navy plans on deploying warships to the Atlantic Ocean as part of a programme to ply international waters, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayari said in statements published July 19.

But the commander of the navy, quoted by Kayhan newspaper, said he was waiting for "final approval" before launching the operation.

"In case of final approval (of the project) a fleet of the navy will be sent to the Atlantic (Ocean)," Sayari was quoted as saying without giving details about the fleet or where in the Atlantic Ocean it would be deployed.

"The presence (of ships and submarines) in the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean and international waters is still on the agenda of the navy," Sayari said.

According to Sayari navy ships assigned to long-distance missions will be equipped with Noor cruise missiles.

"Ships going on missions are equipped with surface-to-surface Noor missiles," which have a range of 200 kilometres (125 miles) he said.

In February Iran moved two warships into the Mediterranean Sea, crossing the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, triggering anger in Israel which branded the move "political provocation" and put its navy on alert, AFP reported.