Evacuation of 22 sailors from MV Touska comes amid fragile ceasefire and ongoing maritime tensions in the Gulf.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry has confirmed that 22 crew members from an Iranian container ship seized by US forces last month have been safely evacuated to Pakistan and are being handed over to Iranian authorities.
The move, described by Pakistani officials as a “confidence-building measure” by Washington, comes as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high following the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the seizure of the vessel.
The Iranian-flagged MV Touska, operated by the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), was boarded and seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman near Iran’s Chabahar port in mid-April. US officials said the vessel attempted to breach the blockade, prompting the Navy to disable its propulsion before Marines boarded it.
Crew Transfer via Pakistan as US-Iran De-escalation Step:
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the crew members were flown to Pakistan on Sunday night and would be transferred to Iranian authorities on Monday.
“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,” Andrabi stated.
Fifteen of the sailors have already crossed into Iran via the Rimdan border terminal in Sistan-Baluchistan province, according to Iranian state media.
US Central Command confirmed the transfer, describing it as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation while maintaining the blockade.
Background to the seizure:
The seizure of the Touska occurred during a period of heightened confrontation in the Gulf. US forces enforced a naval blockade aimed at restricting access to Iranian ports following alleged Iranian violations of a fragile ceasefire.
President Donald Trump publicly announced the operation, stating the vessel ignored repeated warnings before being intercepted by the destroyer USS Spruance.
Iran denounced the action as “piracy” and an act of aggression, warning of potential retaliation. The incident raised fears that the fragile truce brokered in recent weeks could collapse, with both sides accusing the other of undermining peace efforts.
The Touska has reportedly been involved in routes connecting Iran and China, raising US concerns over potential sanctions evasion and dual-use cargo.
US-Iran Tensions and Gulf Oil Market Volatility:
The repatriation via Pakistan-which maintains ties with both Washington and Tehran-is being viewed by analysts as a small diplomatic step amid broader instability.
Analysts say the gesture may signal a desire by the US to ease humanitarian concerns while keeping pressure on Iran’s economy through the blockade. However, Tehran continues to criticise the US presence in the Gulf and has accused Washington of economic warfare.
Oil prices, which spiked following the initial seizure and blockade enforcement, have shown volatility as markets monitor developments in the vital waterway through which a significant portion of global crude oil passes.