Pakistan facilitates evacuation of 22 Iranian crew from ship seized by US

Islamabad (ANTARA) - Pakistan has facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members detained aboard a container ship seized by the United States last month, the Foreign Ministry stated on Monday. This step was taken as a confidence-building effort by the US, with the crew from the Iranian-flagged vessel, MV Touska, having been evacuated and flown to Pakistan overnight, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry revealed in a statement. These individuals will be handed over to Iranian authorities on Monday. The statement added that the ship will also be brought to Pakistan’s territorial waters and returned to its original owners after undergoing the necessary repairs. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry noted that the process is being coordinated with support from Iranian and US parties. Pakistan welcomes this development and describes it as a positive step, reaffirming its commitment to facilitating dialogue and diplomacy while continuing mediation efforts for regional peace and security.