US Transfers Seized Iranian Vessel and Crew to Pakistan for Repatriation to Tehran

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON - The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has transferred the custody of an Iranian cargo vessel, M/V Touska, along with 22 crew members, to Pakistan for repatriation to Iran. The move is being described by both Washington and Islamabad as a "confidence-building measure" amid fragile efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region .

The transfer was confirmed by CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins, who told ABC News: "Today, U.S. forces completed the transfer of 22 crew members of M/V Touska to Pakistan for repatriation" . The vessel is currently in Pakistan and will be moved to Pakistani territorial waters before being returned to its original owners after necessary repairs .

US-Iran Maritime Standoff

The M/V Touska, a container ship belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) group, was intercepted by US forces on April 19 in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Iran's Chabahar port . According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the vessel ignored six hours of warnings from American ships before a US destroyer fired several rounds at the container ship's engine room using its 127mm Mark 45 gun . The ship was then boarded and seized by US Marines.

President Donald Trump stated that the vessel was intercepted for attempting to breach a US-imposed naval blockade on Iranian ports . The US has maintained a blockade in the region since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran on February 28 .

Diplomatic Channel via Islamabad

The transfer of the ship and crew was coordinated through Pakistan, which has emerged as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan's Foreign Office confirmed that the crew members arrived in Pakistan on Sunday night and will be handed over to Iranian authorities on Monday .

"These returns are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and US sides," the Foreign Office said in a statement . Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar added: "These actions are being coordinated with the support of both the Iranian and the US authorities and surely constitute an important confidence-building measure" .

Pakistan's Foreign Office further announced that the Iranian ship will be "backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters" and returned to its original owners after necessary repairs .

Pakistan's Mediation Role

The repatriation follows Pakistan's continued efforts to facilitate dialogue between the US and Iran. Pakistan hosted the first round of direct US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, and Islamabad has been credited with brokering the initial ceasefire on April 8 .

Iran had previously condemned the US seizure of the vessel as "armed piracy" and a violation of international law and the April ceasefire, demanding the immediate release of the ship and its crew . The UAE-based The National reported that Iran summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran - who represents US interests - to protest the seizure.

Pakistan welcomed the development, stating it "welcomes such confidence-building measures and will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security" .