22 crew members of seized Iranian ship transferred to Pakistan in US-led move

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Monday that 22 crew members held aboard the seized Iranian container ship MV Touska have been evacuated to Pakistan by the United States as part of a confidence-building measure.

In an official statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan is facilitating the transfer process, and the crew members were flown to Pakistan overnight. They are expected to be handed over to Iranian authorities later today.

The statement added that the vessel will also be moved back into Pakistani territorial waters before being returned to its original owners after necessary repairs. Officials said the entire process is being coordinated with the support of both US and Iranian authorities.

The spokesperson said Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building steps and remains committed to supporting dialogue and diplomacy while continuing its mediation efforts for regional peace and stability.

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A spokesperson for the United States Central Command, Captain Tim Hawkins, confirmed that US forces transferred the 22 crew members of MV Touska to Pakistan for repatriation. He also stated that six additional individuals had been sent to another regional country last week, with Iranian state media reporting that those individuals were family members of crew onboard.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed that the Iranian vessel was struck after it refused orders to change course in the Strait of Hormuz on April 19. The ship was later boarded and seized in the Gulf of Oman amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.

In a related development, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the evolving regional situation and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The Iranian foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role and mediation efforts, while Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting dialogue, stressing that diplomacy remains the only viable path for resolving disputes and ensuring long-term regional stability.