An Iranian container ship seized by US forces last month has been transferred to Pakistan for the repatriation of its crew, according to a report by ABC News citing US Central Command.
Read More: Iran says US responded to latest peace proposal through Pakistan
US officials said 22 crew members of the vessel, identified as M/V Touska, were handed over to Pakistani authorities, while six other passengers had earlier been moved to a regional country. The crew members are expected to be repatriated to their home country through diplomatic channels.
The vessel was intercepted on April 19 near Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman after US forces said it failed to comply with repeated warnings during a six-hour period. The ship, linked to the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, was accused by US Central Command of attempting to violate a naval blockade imposed by Washington on Iranian ports.
U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s… pic.twitter.com/mFxI5RzYCS
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2026
Iran rejected the allegations, calling the seizure unlawful and a violation of international law, and demanded the immediate release of the ship and its crew. Iranian officials described the action as “armed piracy” and accused the US of escalating tensions in the Gulf.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 3, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, has remained highly tense amid ongoing hostilities between Iran, the United States and Israel. Reports indicate that hundreds of vessels and thousands of seafarers have been affected by disruptions in the waterway.
US President Donald Trump recently announced a plan, dubbed “Operation Freedom,” aimed at assisting stranded commercial ships in the Gulf and restoring navigation. The US Central Command said it would deploy military assets including personnel, aircraft, warships and drones to support the initiative.
Read More: Pakistan prepares for peace talks despite US seizure of Iranian ship
Iranian officials warned that any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz would violate the current ceasefire framework and further escalate regional instability. Diplomatic discussions on maritime security are expected to continue in coming days.
⚠ WARNING
Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire.
The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts!
No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!
— ابراهیم عزیزی (@Ebrahimazizi33) May 3, 2026