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Pakistan Repatriates Crew From U.S.-Seized Iranian Ship

The handover signals a confidence-building step in cautious U.S.–Iran diplomacy.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout photo provided by U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. Handout Photo by the U.S. Navy via Getty
Iranian crew of US-detained ship returns to Iran through Pakistan
Iran Receives Crew

Overview

  • Pakistan, which had received the sailors from U.S. custody, handed the 22 crew members to Iranian authorities on Monday after several weeks in detention.
  • U.S. Central Command said it transferred 22 crew to Pakistan, while six others were released earlier to a regional country in a staged process.
  • Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the MV Touska will be moved to Pakistani waters for repairs before being returned to its owner.
  • The U.S. destroyer USS Spruance disabled the Iranian container ship on April 19 after six hours of warnings during a blockade, the first recorded use of force since April 13.
  • U.S. officials frame the action as sanctions enforcement, Iran calls it piracy, and Pakistan describes the transfers as a step that could lower tensions.