Iran has moved two container ships seized near the Strait of Hormuz toward Bandar Abbas port, as governments intensify efforts to confirm the safety of around 40 crew members and secure their release. The vessels were detained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after Tehran pledged retaliation for the earlier seizure of an Iranian ship by US forces.
One of the ships, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), reportedly has crew members from Montenegro and Croatia, while the second vessel carries Ukrainian and Filipino seafarers, according to maritime authorities. Officials from the affected countries said both crews were reported safe, though access and movement onboard remain restricted.
The incident has heightened concerns over maritime security in the Gulf, a critical global trade route already facing disruption from regional tensions. Shipping companies and insurers are closely monitoring developments as risks around the Strait of Hormuz continue to rise.