Iran, a Plan, a Canal?

Israel’s Haaretz news reports that Iran and Venezuela plan to help build a canal through Nicaragua, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to rival the Panama Canal.

The report, referencing unnamed sources, indicates that the recent Nicaragua-Costa Rica border incident is part of this plan, formulated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega with funding and assistance from Iran.

In somewhat related news, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed cooperation in building a canal across Nicaragua to compete with the Panama Canal with President Ortega in October 2009.