Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk:The United States has handed over a seized Iranian vessel and its crew to Pakistan, according to US media reports, in a development linked to ongoing maritime tensions in the region.
The vessel, identified as MV Toxca, had been taken into custody by US authorities for allegedly violating sanctions and naval restrictions imposed amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
US officials confirmed that 22 crew members of the ship have been transferred to Pakistani authorities. The move is understood to be part of a process aimed at facilitating the vessel’s eventual return to its owner in Iran.
Sources said that six crew members had already been repatriated last week through a third country in the region, indicating a phased approach to resolving the matter.
Officials further stated that the vessel itself is now being released and will be returned to its rightful owner, marking a de-escalation step in a sensitive maritime dispute.
The development comes at a time of increased geopolitical strain in key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, where global oil supply chains remain vulnerable to disruptions.
