US Forces Evacuate Crew from Seized Iranian Ship in Pakistan

Twenty-two crew members from an Iranian ship seized by the United States have been transferred to Pakistan for repatriation, according to a statement released by Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Monday.

The crew members were flown to Pakistan on Sunday night and will be handed over to Iranian authorities today. The Iranian ship, MV Touska, was boarded and seized by US forces on April 19 while attempting to enter the Gulf of Oman through Iran’s Chabahar port. The ship is owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which has been subject to US sanctions.

As part of a confidence-building measure, the United States facilitated the transfer of the crew members to Pakistan. According to CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins, “US forces completed the transfer of 22 crew members of M/V Touska to Pakistan for repatriation.” Six other passengers were previously transferred to another regional country for repatriation last week.

The ship’s custody is currently being transferred back to its original ownership after it was intercepted and seized by US forces. The Iranian authorities have been informed about the transfer, and arrangements are being made for the ship to be returned to Pakistani territorial waters for necessary repairs before being returned to its original owners.

Source: Al Jazeera