US Releases 22 Crew Members from Seized Iranian Cargo Ship, Handing Over to Pakistan
The US is expected to release 22 crew members from a previously seized Iranian cargo ship and transfer them to Iranian authorities via Pakistan. Pakistan describes this as a "confidence-building measure" amid ongoing US-Iran tensions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 17:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 18:01 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 4, 2026 at 18:04 (3 min after Collected)
US-Iran War Key News
CENTRAL NEWS
(Central News Agency, Islamabad, 4th, comprehensive foreign report) The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that the United States has released 22 crew members previously detained when boarding and seizing an Iranian cargo ship. They are expected to be handed over to Pakistan later today, then transferred to Iranian authorities, a move Pakistan called a "confidence-building measure."
Reuters reported that US forces boarded and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman, off Iran's Chabahar Port, in April. The ship belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which is sanctioned by Washington.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the ship's crew repeatedly ignored warnings for six hours and that the ship violated a US maritime blockade.
Iran condemned the incident as "illegal and in violation" of international law, demanding the immediate release of the ship, crew, and their families.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stated today that the cargo ship, after necessary repairs, will also be moved to Pakistani territorial waters and returned to its owner.
After the US and Israel went to war with Iran on February 28, a ceasefire was announced four weeks ago. Subsequently, US President Trump, before the original ceasefire deadline of April 21, US Eastern Time, announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. However, Washington and Tehran have recently continued to experience maritime standoffs and mutual seizures of merchant ships.
US and Iranian negotiating representatives held talks in April in mediating country Pakistan, but no consensus was reached. (Edited by Hung Chi-yuan)
CENTRAL NEWS
(Central News Agency, Islamabad, 4th, comprehensive foreign report) The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that the United States has released 22 crew members previously detained when boarding and seizing an Iranian cargo ship. They are expected to be handed over to Pakistan later today, then transferred to Iranian authorities, a move Pakistan called a "confidence-building measure."
Reuters reported that US forces boarded and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman, off Iran's Chabahar Port, in April. The ship belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which is sanctioned by Washington.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the ship's crew repeatedly ignored warnings for six hours and that the ship violated a US maritime blockade.
Iran condemned the incident as "illegal and in violation" of international law, demanding the immediate release of the ship, crew, and their families.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stated today that the cargo ship, after necessary repairs, will also be moved to Pakistani territorial waters and returned to its owner.
After the US and Israel went to war with Iran on February 28, a ceasefire was announced four weeks ago. Subsequently, US President Trump, before the original ceasefire deadline of April 21, US Eastern Time, announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. However, Washington and Tehran have recently continued to experience maritime standoffs and mutual seizures of merchant ships.
US and Iranian negotiating representatives held talks in April in mediating country Pakistan, but no consensus was reached. (Edited by Hung Chi-yuan)