US Evacuates 22 Iranian Crew From Seized Ship to Pakistan

Twenty-two Iranian crew members from a vessel seized by the United States have been evacuated to Pakistan in what Washington described as a confidence-building measure amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. The evacuation, carried out under US coordination, represents a rare humanitarian gesture in the context of an increasingly tense US-Iran maritime standoff and signals a deliberate attempt to prevent escalation through a limited act of goodwill. Pakistan's role as a receiving country for the Iranian crew members underlines Islamabad's position as a potential neutral interlocutor in the volatile regional situation. Details on the specific vessel involved and the precise location from which the crew were transported have not been fully disclosed. The development comes on the same day that Iran issued a formal warning to the US Navy to stay clear of the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington having signalled its intent to assist stranded shipping in the strategically critical waterway. Diplomatic observers noted that Pakistan's facilitation of the crew transfer, even in a logistical capacity, carries broader regional significance.