WASHINGTON (The Thursday Times) — The United States has transferred crew members from a seized Iranian cargo vessel to Pakistan for repatriation, a move that underscores Washington’s growing reliance on Islamabad as a trusted intermediary during a tense maritime standoff.
The vessel, identified as M/V Touska, was intercepted last month after U.S. officials said it attempted to breach a naval blockade imposed amid escalating tensions with Iran. The seizure placed the ship at the centre of a widening dispute over access to key shipping routes in the Gulf.
Scenes of U.S. Marines seizing the Iranian vessel M/V Touska:
On April 19, Marines launched from USS Tripoli by helicopter, crossed the Arabian Sea, and descended onto the ship after USS Spruance disabled its propulsion when the vessel ignored repeated U.S. warnings for six… pic.twitter.com/gdD8wZcdOG— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) April 20, 2026
U.S. Central Command told ABC News that 22 crew members had been transferred to Pakistan for repatriation, while six additional passengers were moved earlier to a regional country. Iranian state media identified those six as relatives of crew members, pointing to the civilian dimension of the incident.
Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for Central Command, said custody of the vessel was now being transferred back to its original ownership following its interception.
“Custody of Touska is currently being transferred back to its original ownership after the ship was intercepted and seized when attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade against Iran last month,” Hawkins said
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reinforced the diplomatic dimension of the move, confirming that the 22 crew members had been safely evacuated to Pakistan and would be transferred to Iran. He added that the vessel was being moved back into Pakistani territorial waters for its eventual return to its original owners after necessary repairs.
Dar described the operation as being coordinated with the support of both Iranian and U.S. authorities, calling it an important confidence-building measure. He said Pakistan appreciated both countries and remained committed to facilitating dialogue, diplomacy and mediation for regional peace and security.
The decision to route the crew through Pakistan carries diplomatic weight. At a time when Washington is preparing “Project Freedom” to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the transfer suggests a deliberate effort to build confidence through third-party channels rather than direct engagement.
Pakistan’s role reflects its unique positioning. Sharing a border with Iran while maintaining ties with Gulf states and the United States, Islamabad has increasingly presented itself as a practical bridge in moments of regional strain.
The episode does not resolve the underlying conflict, but it introduces a measured step towards de-escalation. As maritime routes remain under pressure and shipping flows face uncertainty, even limited trust-building actions are likely to carry significance far beyond the immediate handover.
