Pakistan facilitates return of 22 Iranian crew from US-seized ship
Pakistan said Monday it had facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members from a US-seized vessel, describing the move as a "confidence-building measure" amid fragile diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran.
The sailors, who had been held aboard the container ship Touska, were flown into Islamabad late Sunday and were due to be handed over to Iranian authorities, according to a statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry.
The handover follows a tense maritime standoff in the Gulf of Oman, where US forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged vessel.
President Donald Trump said the ship carried "a gift from China", an allegation Beijing rejected, insisting it opposed "any malicious association and speculation".
Iran has condemned the seizure as "piracy" and a violation of an April ceasefire, urging the United Nations to intervene.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator for the war in the Middle East, hosting talks aimed at reducing friction between the United States and Iran.
The transfer of the crew was coordinated with both sides, Pakistan said, reflecting a rare instance of practical cooperation despite wider tensions over sanctions, shipping routes and regional security.
The vessel itself is expected to be returned after repairs.
Islamabad said it would continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of regional stability, as the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile and indirect US-Iran engagement politically sensitive.
PR No.1️⃣1️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 4, 2026
Pakistan Facilitates Transfer of Iranian Crew Members
⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hhe0eNVh1K
In a tweet, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar also confirmed that the 22 Iranian crewmembers have arrived in Pakistan and will be handed over to Tehran today.
He said “These actions are being coordinated with the support of both the Iranian and the US authorities and surely constitute an important confidence-building measure.”
Pleased to announce that twenty-two crew members from the seized Iranian container vessel, “MV Touska”, have been safely evacuated to Pakistan.
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 4, 2026
The individuals were safely flown in Pakistan last night and will be transferred to Iran today. The Iranian ship is also being…
The development comes days after Iran formally protested at the United Nations over the confiscation of its ships by the United States.
On 29 April, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, wrote to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, describing the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as an act of “sea piracy”.
In his letter, Iravani argued that such actions amount to interference in global trade routes and threaten international stability.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Security Council spokesman Ibrahim Razai said that no force in the world could undermine Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as “unshakeable”.
He added that not a single litre of petrol could pass through the strait without Iran’s approval.
Separately, a spokesman for Iran’s armed forces stated that despite a ceasefire, the country still considers itself in a state of war. He said that Iran does not trust either the United States or Israel.
Earlier, on 20 April, China also expressed concern over the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel that had attempted to evade a naval blockade.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference that Beijing was concerned about the forced interception and urged all parties involved to return to negotiations.
Reporter Anwer Abbas/Agencies