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U.S. Transfers 22 Crew From Seized Iranian Ship to Pakistan for Handover

Pakistan calls the move a confidence-building step in strained maritime talks.

Image
U.S forces patrol near the Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska after it was boarded and seized by U.S. forces on Sunday, at a location given as the Arabian Sea, in this handout image released April 20, 2026. U.S. Central Command via X/Handout via REUTERS/ File Photo

Overview

  • Pakistan’s foreign ministry says the United States evacuated 22 crew members from the Iranian-flagged M/V Touska to Pakistan for transfer to Iranian authorities, after six others were moved earlier to a regional country.
  • The ministry adds the vessel will shift into Pakistani waters for repairs before being returned to its owners.
  • U.S. forces seized the container ship near Iran’s Chabahar port on April 19 after repeated radio warnings went unanswered, and Marines boarded after the destroyer USS Spruance disabled the ship.
  • U.S. Central Command links the vessel to sanctioned Iranian shipper IRISL and says it tried to breach a U.S. port blockade, while Iran rejects the allegations and calls the seizure armed piracy.
  • The crew transfers unfold as Washington rolls out Operation Freedom to help stranded commercial ships and expand military patrols in Gulf waters, reflecting wider strain on key shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.