Two Croatians aboard cargo ship seized by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

Two Croatian seafarers are reported to be aboard one of two cargo ships seized by Iran on Wednesday as they attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media released footage showing masked commandos boarding one of the vessels — the MSC Francesca, sailing under the Panamanian flag.

Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman confirmed Thursday that two Croatian nationals are among the crew and said diplomatic efforts are underway.

“We are in contact with our diplomatic missions and the families of these seafarers. The situation is being closely monitored and diplomatic action has been taken,” Grlić Radman said.

The head of the Croatian Seafarers’ Union, Neven Melvan, confirmed the men have been in contact with their families, adding that it remains unclear why the shipping company took such a risk.

“According to the information we’ve received, they have not been mistreated or hurt. They were even allowed to keep their phones, so the seafarers are in contact with their families. The only unanswered question in this matter is why MSC — a very large global company — would risk the lives of the crew and the ship by attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, knowing the situation there,” Melvan told HRT.