“US forces completed the transfer of 22 crew members of M/V Touska to Pakistan for repatriation,” US Central Command Spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said.
“Six other passengers were already transferred to a regional country for repatriation last week,” he said.
“Custody of Touska is currently being transferred back to its original ownership after the ship was intercepted and seized when attempting to violate the US naval blockade against Iran last month,” Hawkins said.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on the social media platform X, “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 individuals, who were flown to Pakistan last night, will be handed over to the Iranian authorities today,” he said, Dawn reported.
“The Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs,” Andrabi said, adding that these returns were being coordinated in tandem with the support of both sides.