Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- Two Iranian warships are expected to pass through the Suez Canal Wednesday night on their way to Syria , a move that Israel considers a `` provocation '' and that sent oil prices soaring . The passage , which Iran said was part of a training mission , is `` something which has not happened in many years , '' Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said . `` This is a provocation that proves that the self-confidence and insolence of the Iranians is growing from day to day , '' he said . `` This happens after the Iranian president 's visit to south Lebanon and his aggressive declarations there towards Israel . '' The Israeli Defense Ministry said Israel was monitoring the movement of the Iranian ships and alerted its allies . Crude oil for delivery in March rose as much as 1.2 % to $ 85.95 a barrel , following the news . Brent crude , which is traded primarily overseas in Europe , rose as much as 2.1 % to $ 103.31 a barrel . Traders urged caution , saying the reports were still vague . `` The reports are sketchy at the moment , but the news of Iranian warships in the Suez did rally the market a bit , '' said Andrew Lebow , a commodities broker with MF Global . `` The market is looking for more information but certainly we 're seeing some short covering on the reports . '' The Suez Canal serves as a key passageway for international trade , allowing ships to navigate between Europe and Asia without having to go all the way around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa . Millions of barrels of oil move through the Suez every day on the way to both Europe and North America . Iranian Navy officials have said the flotilla has embarked on a yearlong training mission that takes it to the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea , according to the semi-official Fars News Agency . During the mission , Iranian Navy cadets are due to be trained and prepared for defending the country 's cargo ships and oil tankers . Iranian Navy Cmdr . Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari said cadets would be trained to protect ships and tankers now under threat of attack from Somali pirates , Fars said . Part of the mission was also to gather intelligence . Sayyari said the ships were in the region in `` pursuit of a powerful ( military ) presence in the high seas and to consolidate our friendly ties and declare our message of peace and friendship to the regional countries . '' Liberman urged Israel 's allies to pay attention . `` We expect the international community to act speedily with determination against the Iranian provocations , designed to deteriorate the situation in the area , and put the Iranians in their place , '' he said . Liberman 's comments were not so much a threat but a wake-up call about a `` worrying development , '' said a senior government official who was not identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media . The official said Liberman was `` painting it as a challenge to the West . '' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamim Netanyahu 's office offered no immediate comment . CNN 's Kevin Flower and journalist Ken Sweet contributed to this report .
NEW : Oil prices soar after comments about provocation . This `` has not happened in many years , '' the Israeli foreign minister says . The US is now trying to get a UN Security Council resolution that would authorize military action against Syria.