Pakistan facilitates return of Iranian crew from US-seized ship

ISLAMABAD: As a confidence-building measure by the United States, 22 crew members held aboard the seized Iranian container ship, MV Touska, have been evacuated to Pakistan.

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi announced this in a statement on Monday.

He stated that the individuals who were flown to Pakistan last night will be handed over to the Iranian authorities on Monday.

The Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs.

READ MORE: Pakistan actively engaged with US, Iran for regional peace: FO

US forces transferred 22 crew members to Pakistan after six others were transferred last week to be repatriated to their own country.

These returns are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and US sides, the spokesperson added

Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building measures and will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security.

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