Pakistan’s Foreign Office has confirmed that 22 Iranian crew members from a US-seized vessel have been safely transferred to Pakistan and will be returned to Iran as part of a confidence-building effort. According to officials, the crew was brought to Pakistan late at night and arrangements for their handover are already in place.
The vessel, identified as MV Touska, was intercepted by US forces near Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman last month. Reports indicate that the ship allegedly failed to respond to repeated warnings for several hours, which led to its seizure under a US naval blockade. The incident quickly escalated tensions, with Iran strongly condemning the move and calling it a violation of international law.
Pakistani authorities have played a key diplomatic role in handling the situation. The Foreign Office stated that the transfer of the crew reflects ongoing cooperation between Pakistan, the United States, and Iran. Officials also confirmed that the vessel itself will be moved into Pakistani territorial waters for necessary repairs before being returned to its original owners.
Interestingly, six additional individuals, believed to be family members of the crew, had already been relocated to another country in the region prior to this transfer. The entire process highlights a broader effort to reduce tensions and promote regional stability.
This development comes after recent hostilities between the US and Iran, including naval confrontations and vessel seizures. Although a fragile ceasefire was declared weeks ago following earlier conflicts, relations remain sensitive. Pakistan has emerged as an important mediator, hosting high-level talks between both sides in recent weeks.
Officials have emphasized that Pakistan will continue to support dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful conflict resolution in the region. The successful handling of the crew transfer is being viewed as a positive step toward rebuilding trust between the involved nations.
