ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally handed over the 22-member crew of the Iranian container vessel MV Tosca to Iranian authorities, completing their repatriation after they were earlier transferred from the United States.
According to a spokesperson for the Foreign Office, the Iranian nationals were officially returned to their government, marking the conclusion of the repatriation process.
Officials said the crew had been handed over to Pakistan by the United States as a confidence-building measure, after which Pakistan immediately arranged their return to Iran.
The Foreign Office stated that the process was carried out in a coordinated manner between Iran and the United States, with Pakistan acting as a facilitator.
The spokesperson added that Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace and stability, and will continue to play a positive diplomatic role in supporting such efforts in the future.
Earlier, US media reported that the cargo vessel MV Tosca had been seized by US forces near Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman.
At the time of interception, the ship carried 28 individuals, six of whom had already been transferred to a regional country last week for repatriation.
US officials have maintained that the vessel was in violation of international sanctions, while Iran has condemned the seizure as illegal and tantamount to piracy.
