ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday handed over crew members of an Iranian container vessel that was seized by the United States and later transferred to Pakistan for repatriation, in a coordinated move as part of diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran conflict.
The MV Touska vessel had been intercepted by US forces last month for allegedly violating a naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz, after which its crew was flown to Pakistan for onward transfer to Iran.
According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, 15 crew members of the container ship Tosca crossed into Iran through the Rimdan border terminal in Sistan and Balochestan, following their transfer to Pakistan a day earlier.
15 Iranian crew members of the container ship "Tosca," who had been transferred to Pakistan following recent incidents in international waters, entered Iran's territory on Monday, through the Rimdan border terminal in Sistan and Baluchestan. pic.twitter.com/mH2cGUy2bh
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) May 4, 2026
The development comes after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday announced that 22 crew members from the seized Iranian container vessel MV Touska have been safely evacuated to Pakistan.
In a post on X, Ishaq Dar said the evacuation was carried out smoothly and in coordination with relevant stakeholders, expressing satisfaction over the safe transfer of the 22 crew members.
Pleased to announce that twenty-two crew members from the seized Iranian container vessel, “MV Touska”, have been safely evacuated to Pakistan.
The individuals were safely flown in Pakistan last night and will be transferred to Iran today. The Iranian ship is also being…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 4, 2026
Dar noted that arrangements were underway to return the vessel to its original owners after necessary procedures, terming the development a positive step toward easing regional tensions.
Earlier, the Pakistan Foreign Office said that the crew of the vessel MV Touska was flown to Pakistan overnight after remaining on board following its seizure.
Confidence-building measure
The move is being seen as part of broader diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan playing a coordinating role between the two sides.
“The individuals, who were flown to Pakistan last night, will be handed over to the Iranian authorities today. The Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs,” the foreign office said in a statement.
🔊PR No.1️⃣1️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Pakistan Facilitates Transfer of Iranian Crew Members
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hhe0eNVh1K— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 4, 2026
This step has been undertaken to facilitate its eventual return to its original owners, following the completion of necessary repairs and technical requirements.
The entire process is being carried out in close coordination with both Iranian and US authorities, reflecting an unusual but notable instance of practical cooperation amid wider geopolitical sensitivities.
Pakistan, for its part, has expressed support for such confidence-building initiatives, reiterating its commitment to facilitating dialogue and diplomacy.
Islamabad has also underlined that it will continue to support mediation efforts aimed at promoting regional peace, stability, and security.
Earlier in the day, ABC News reported that an Iranian cargo vessel seized by United States forces after allegedly failing to comply with a blockade has been transferred to Pakistan along with its crew for repatriation to Iran.
The report stated that the US Central Command confirmed the transfer of 22 crew members of the vessel M/V Touska to Pakistan.
“Today, US forces completed the transfer of 22 crew members of M/V Touska to Pakistan for repatriation,” a United States Central Command spokesperson said, according to ABC News on Monday.
“Six other passengers were already transferred to a regional country for repatriation last week.”
Iranian state media identified the six as family members of some of the crew.
“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.
Strait of Hormuz tensions
The ship was allegedly seized while attempting to breach what US authorities described as a naval blockade imposed on Iran.
Captain Hawkins stated that the vessel was boarded and taken under control by US forces on 19 April after repeated warnings were issued for over six hours.
The M/V Touska, a small container ship affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL)—an entity already under US sanctions—was intercepted off the coast of Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman.
At the time of the incident, US Central Command claimed that the crew had failed to comply with repeated instructions issued by naval forces.
Iran, however, strongly rejected the US action. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the seizure as “unlawful and a violation of international law” and demanded the immediate release of both the vessel and its crew, along with their families.
Iranian military officials also claimed the ship was en route from China and accused the United States of engaging in “armed piracy”.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage for global energy and trade, has witnessed heightened tensions since the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel earlier this year.
Reports indicated that several vessels attempting passage through the strait have come under fire, while Iran has also seized a number of ships in recent months.
In response, the United States has imposed its own restrictions on vessels departing Iranian ports.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Washington would begin assisting in the safe passage of ships stranded in the Gulf under a new initiative titled “Operation Freedom”, set to commence on Monday. He did not provide detailed operational specifics.
“We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
According to figures cited by the International Maritime Organisation, hundreds of vessels and approximately 20,000 seafarers have been unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing conflict conditions.
US Central Command said the operation would involve approximately 15,000 personnel, over 100 air and sea-based aircraft, as well as warships and drones. The stated objective is to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the strategically vital waterway.
In reaction to the US announcement, Iranian officials issued a strong warning. Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, said any American interference in the maritime arrangements of the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the current ceasefire.
“Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire,” Azizi posted on X.
