ISLAMABAD: Twenty-two crew members of an Iranian ship seized by the US have been evacuated to Pakistan as a “confidence -building measure” by Washington, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson said on Monday, adding that they will be handed over to Iranian authorities today.
US President Donald Trump claimed that Iranian vessel Touska was struck and seized by the US military after it refused to follow Washington’s orders to withdraw from its planned passage through the Strait of Hormuz on Apr. 19. US forces, which has been imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports since last month, boarded the ship and seized it in the Gulf of Oman. The move spiked tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have been locked in conflict since February when the US and Israeli forces launched surprising attacks against Iran.
ABC News earlier on Monday quoted United States Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins as saying that 22 crew members had been repatriated to Pakistan. Six of the crew members were released by the US last week and had arrived in Iran, Tehran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency had reported.
“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,” foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told Arab News.
“The individuals, who were flown to Pakistan last night, will be handed over to the Iranian authorities today.”
The spokesperson said that Touska will also be “backloaded” to Pakistani territorial waters for return after necessary repairs.
“These returns are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and US sides,” he said. “Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building measures and will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security.”
Pakistan, Iran discuss peace efforts
The development takes place after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday night to discuss peace efforts and regional developments, the Pakistani foreign office said in a separate statement.
Araghchi appreciated Pakistan for its constructive role and sincere mediation efforts, it said.
“DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to promoting constructive engagement and underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path toward peaceful resolution of issues and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the statement said.
Pakistan has acted as the chief mediator between the US and Iran since their conflict began in February. Islamabad held the first round of direct talks between both sides on Apr. 11, which failed to achieve a breakthrough.
Islamabad hosted Araghchi last month to discuss regional tensions twice. A US delegation was also supposed to arrive for the second round of peace talks before Trump called off their visit.
Tensions have since then surged between the two sides, with Trump warning on Sunday that the US would begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the new maritime operation, which he dubbed “Project Freedom,” was a “humanitarian” gesture for crews aboard the many ships swept up in the blockade and which may be running low on food and other crucial supplies
The head of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission responded by saying that interference by the US in the Strait of Hormuz would be seen as a violation of their ceasefire.
Iranian officials have asserted that they control the strait and that ships not affiliated with the US or Israel can pass if they pay a toll, challenging the freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law.
