We have recently seen quite a lot of excitement being created over the release of Google Chrome in beta for Android smartphones, with users experiencing genuine delight at the thought of being able to use one of the world’s most popular browsers on their mobile device. Owners of the Apple iPhone haven’t been lucky enough to get a feature packed browser like Chrome, but for the most part, Mobile Safari does an excellent job of offering a very rich browsing experience which keeps users relatively happy.

Opera, the developer of the rather popular Opera browser for desktops and Opera Mini for mobile devices released version 6 of its popular mobile browser for iOS devices, two months after version 6 for Android and other devices.

In a surprise move today, Apple has actually approved the fastest (arguably) mobile web browser – Opera Mini for the iPhone platform. It will be available in the App Store for free in under 24 hours from now. This is what the CEO of Opera said in an official press release today.

It has been confirmed by Opera via their official twitter account that they have sent their most renowned mobile browser Opera Mini today to Apple for approval. So where’s the Safari headed after this? Another browser war on the rise? or just a step by Opera to gain publicity.