MFEA condemns Iran's retaliation and calls on Croatian citizens to be careful

Due to the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs called on Croatian citizens to be more cautious and provide timely information.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs on Sunday condemned Iran's revenge attacks on the countries of the Persian Gulf and announced that it is particularly monitoring what is happening with the many Croats living there.

“We regret that the intransigence and lack of credibility of the Iranian authorities in negotiations to stop their military nuclear program led to a major military intervention by the United States and Israel against Iran,” wrote the MFEA on X.

It is crucial to prevent further bloodshed and protect civilians, with full respect for international and humanitarian law, added the Ministry, condemning Iran's retaliatory ballistic missile attacks on neighboring countries, which pose a risk of further escalation in the region.

Ten Croatian citizens remain in Iran

Therefore, the situation is being closely monitored in the United Arab Emirates, where around 2,000 Croatians live, and between 500 and 1,000 usually stay, and in Israel, where there are currently around twenty Croatian tourists or believers and around 100 Israeli-Croatian citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that ten Croatian citizens remain in Iran, who have not yet requested any assistance.

In Tehran, one employee of the Croatian Embassy remained in the field for necessary communication and coordination, while other employees, including the ambassador, were evacuated, but diplomatic and consular missions in the region are on alert and are actively monitoring the situation in the countries they cover.

Talks and contacts on possible repatriations

Minister Gordan Grlić Radman will meet with Israeli Minister Gideon Saar today, after having already held talks on the situation with his Qatari and Omani counterparts Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, whose countries are in closer contact with the zone of hostilities.

He also spoke with colleagues from Egypt and Tunisia.

In his conversation with Al Thani, Grlić Radman condemned the Iranian attack on Qatar and other Gulf countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the Ministry said, adding that Croatian diplomats are in close and regular contact with partners in the European Union to exchange information and coordinate, including possible repatriations.

Source: HRT