FM Dar announces safe arrival of 22 Iranian sailors in Karachi

The sailors were aboard a tanker intercepted during heightened Gulf tensions after Washington imposed a naval blockade on Iranian oil shipments following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Friday that 22 Iranian crew members from the vessel Lenore/Davina, recently interdicted by U.S. forces, have safely arrived in Karachi.

Dar said Pakistan is working closely with Iranian diplomatic missions to ensure their earliest repatriation. The crew was received at Karachi port by Foreign Office officials and transferred to the Iranian consulate after completing emergency entry formalities, according to IRNA.

This marks the fourth batch of Iranian sailors repatriated via Pakistan in the past two months, bringing the total to more than 70. Dar expressed gratitude to Iran’s leadership for trusting Pakistan with the process and commended the Foreign Ministry’s team for their professionalism.

The sailors were aboard a tanker intercepted during heightened Gulf tensions after Washington imposed a naval blockade on Iranian oil shipments following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28. Tehran has described the seizure as illegal.

The repatriation comes in the wake of the U.S.-Iran 14-point understanding mediated by Pakistan, signed electronically on June 18 by Presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Donald Trump. The agreement includes provisions to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lift the U.S. naval blockade.

Earlier in May, Pakistan facilitated the transfer of Iranian crew from the seized MV Touska and later assisted in repatriating 31 individuals, including 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians, from vessels held in international waters.

Dar said Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in ensuring safe passage and humanitarian cooperation during the ongoing conflict.