The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that crew members of a seized Iranian vessel have been evacuated to Pakistan and will be handed over to Iran today under a “confidence-building measure” by the US.

In a statement posted on X, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “As a confidence-building measure by the United States of America, twenty-two crew members held aboard the seized Iranian container ship, ‘MV Touska’, have been evacuated to Pakistan”.

He added that the crew members were flown to Pakistan last night and will be handed over to Iran today.

“The Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs,” the spokesperson said, adding that returns “are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and US sides”.

Andrabi further stated that Pakistan “will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security”.