US Transfers Seized Iranian Ship and 22 Crew to Pakistan

Pakistan's Foreign Office confirmed Monday that 22 crew members aboard an Iranian vessel seized by the United States have been evacuated to Pakistan, marking a significant development amid escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The handover, reported initially by US media, positions Pakistan in a delicate intermediary role between Washington and Tehran at a moment of acute regional strain.

The US Navy had seized the Iranian ship as part of enforcement measures tied to ongoing pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme and sanctions compliance. The decision to transfer both the vessel and its crew to Pakistan reflects a degree of trust in Islamabad's neutral positioning, though it is likely to draw scrutiny from both American and Iranian quarters.

Pakistan's Foreign Office issued a formal statement acknowledging the evacuation of the 22 crew members to Pakistani soil, without elaborating on the precise circumstances of the transfer or the current status of the ship itself. Officials did not immediately confirm whether the vessel had also been physically handed over to Pakistan or remained under US custody.

The development coincides with active Pakistani diplomatic efforts for regional de-escalation. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had separately held talks with his Iranian counterpart over Pakistan's mediation role for peace in the region, suggesting Islamabad is actively positioning itself as a stabilising actor in the Iran-US standoff. The crew's arrival in Pakistan adds a concrete humanitarian and diplomatic dimension to those efforts.