Iran Navy Presence in Panama Canal?

[LindaD22]

This article reports that Iran is planning to install a naval presence in the Panama Canal, in an escalation of conflict with the US. It apparently wants to establish itself in Latin America. 
 

We were hoping to cruise the PC for the first time in 2025, as a bucket list trip. We will certainly have to see how this plays out before making any plans. 
 

What are your thoughts on this? Would this be a deterrent to cruising the Panama Canal?
 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iran-vows-to-station-warships-in-the-panama-canal-after-building-ties-with-latin-american-dictators/ar-AA16f9Ig

[HBCcruiser]

Yes. That would not be good IMO. 

[CruiserBruce]

Without getting too political,  I seriously doubt there is any threat. You think they are going to come in and start taking hostages?

 

It takes a lot of money to project power, talk is cheap, but Iran doesn’t have a lot. Just look at our military budget. I am not thinking Panama to allow a belligerent country to just start hanging around.

 

I would be surprised if an Iranian ship even shows up, not to mention hangs around.