Two Iranian warships arrive in Brazil, head for Panama Canal

 Iranian warships came to their closest point to US shores on Sunday with the arrival of the Dena and Makran warships in Brazil’s port of Rio Janeira on a mission to the Panama Canal. Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said nearly two weeks ago that Iran is planning to extend its area of operation to the Panama Canal that divides South and North America. So far, we have been absent from only two world straits, he said. Now we are planning a presence in the Panama Canal, with command centers for the India, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.