US Releases Crew of Touska Container Ship After Investigation

US Transfers 22 Iranian Crew Members to Pakistan

The United States has transferred 22 crew members from the Iranian container ship Touska to Pakistan. Islamabad describes this move as a “confidence-building measure” during heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to US Central Command, the crew was handed over for repatriation. The Pakistani foreign ministry confirmed the transfer and stated that the sailors will be returned to Iranian authorities.

The Touska was seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman on April 20. Tehran described this action as an act of “piracy”. Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz following the start of a US-Israeli conflict on Iran.

On Monday, tensions continued to escalate in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The US announced that naval ships would help guide stranded vessels through the strait under Operation Project Freedom. Iran issued a new map of the strait with new boundaries further east and warned shipping not to pass without coordinating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Two Iranian missiles struck a US naval vessel near Jask Island in the strait, according to state media. However, Washington denied any attack. Interceptions and seizures of vessels by both sides have raised questions about de-escalation efforts.

Pakistan has been central to these efforts, mediating between the US and Iran. Talks hosted in Islamabad last month ended without a breakthrough. Iran’s foreign ministry is reviewing Washington’s response to its 14-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict sent via Pakistan on Friday.

The Touska was seized by US forces after Washington accused the crew of failing to comply with the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. The ship was attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz en route to Iran’s main commercial port, Bandar Abbas.

Source: Al Jazeera