Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced on Monday that crew members from the detained Iranian cargo vessel MV Touska have been brought to Pakistan and are expected to be handed over to Iranian officials today as part of a “confidence-building measure” initiated by the United States (US).
In a statement shared on X, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “As a confidence-building measure by the United States of America, twenty-two crew members held aboard the seized Iranian container ship, ‘MV Touska’, have been evacuated to Pakistan.”
The statement came shortly after a spokesperson for United States Central Command (CENTCOM) informed ABC News that American forces had transferred the 22 crew members to Pakistan so they could later be repatriated to Iran. The vessel had reportedly been intercepted while attempting to cross a US naval blockade.
Iranian state media also reported that six other individuals, said to be relatives of the crew members, had previously been relocated to another country in the region.
The MV Touska, which belongs to Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and is under US sanctions, was captured by American forces near Chabahar Port in the Gulf of Oman last month.
According to US CENTCOM, the ship’s crew ignored repeated warnings issued over a span of six hours, while the vessel itself was allegedly operating in breach of a US-imposed blockade.
Iran condemned the seizure, describing it as “unlawful and a violation” of international law, and demanded the immediate release of the ship, its sailors, and their failies.
Meanwhile, the FO spokesperson said the crew members arrived in Pakistan overnight and would be handed over to Iranian authorities later today.
“The Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs,” the spokesperson said, adding that returns “are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and US sides”.
Andrabi further stated that Pakistan “will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security”.
The latest development comes weeks after the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which started in February, was paused following a fragile ceasefire announced four weeks ago. Despite the truce, tensions between Washington and Tehran have persisted, with both countries engaging in naval standoffs and the seizure of commercial vessels.
Pakistan has played a key role of mediator between the two sides, with senior-level discussions between American and Iranian representatives taking place last month in Islamabad. However, a second round of talks has not yet been scheduled as negotiations have encountered obstacles.