Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed on Monday that 22 Iranian crew members from a seized vessel have been brought to Pakistan and will be returned to Iran later today.
In a statement posted on X, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the crew had been evacuated from the Iranian container ship MV Touska and transferred to Pakistan as part of a confidence-building move by the United States.
Official Press Release
Pakistan Facilitates Transfer of Iranian Crew Members:
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…— Tahir Andrabi (@TahirAndrabi) May 4, 2026
The US Central Command spokesperson told the media that 22 crew members of the seized ship have been moved to Pakistan for repatriation. Separately, six individuals identified by Iranian state media as relatives of the crew had earlier been relocated to another country in the region.
The vessel, operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) was seized by the US forces last month near Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman.
According to the FO, the crew members arrived in Pakistan overnight and are set to be handed over to Iranian authorities later today. He stated that the ship itself will also be moved into Pakistani waters and will be returned to its owners after undergoing necessary repairs.
Andrabi added that the repatriation process is being carried out in coordination with both US and Iranian authorities, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating diplomatic engagement and supporting efforts aimed at regional stability.
Pakistan has taken on a mediating role between the two sides, hosting high-level talks in Islamabad last month. However, a follow-up round has yet to be scheduled amid stalled progress.
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