FM Dar announces arrival of 22 more Iranian sailors aboard vessel intercepted by US forces

Says the latest group takes the total number of Iranians repatriated through Pakistan to over 70

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Web Desk June 26, 2026 2 min read

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. SCREENGRAB

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday announced the safe arrival of 22 Iranian crew members of the vessel Lenore/Davina in Karachi, who had recently been interdicted by US authorities, saying arrangements were being finalised for their earliest return to Iran.

"I am pleased to share that twenty-two Iranian crew members of the vessel Lenore/Davina, recently interdicted by US authorities, have safely arrived in Karachi this afternoon," Dar said in a post on X.

He said Pakistan was working closely with the Iranian diplomatic missions to facilitate the crew members' safe and early repatriation to their homeland.

"Arrangements are now being finalised in close collaboration with the Iranian Missions in Pakistan to facilitate their earliest and safe return to their homeland," he said.

The deputy prime minister said Pakistan had remained in close contact with both the US and Iranian authorities throughout the process.

According to Dar, the latest group was the fourth batch of Iranian crew members whose repatriation has been facilitated by Pakistan over the past two months. He said Pakistan had so far assisted in the repatriation of more than 70 Iranian nationals, including the latest group of 22, through its territory.

Expressing gratitude to the Iranian leadership, Dar said he appreciated the trust reposed in Pakistan for facilitating the repatriation process.

"I also commend the dedicated efforts of the team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all the Pakistani institutions for their professionalism and commitment to ensure the smooth and safe repatriation of our Iranian brothers to their homeland," he said.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran. Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and the Gulf states that host US bases. The US began intercepting Iranian ships during the conflict's course.

Earlier in May, Pakistan had facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members held aboard the container ship MV Touska, which had been seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman. Pakistani officials had described that move as a "confidence-building measure" between Washington and Tehran.

Later that same month, Pakistan had announced the successful repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals along with 20 Iranian citizens who had been aboard vessels seized by the US in international waters. FM Dar had said all 31 individuals were in good health and had reached Bangkok from Singapore before boarding a flight to Islamabad.

He had thanked the governments of Singapore, Thailand and the US for facilitating the repatriation process and also acknowledged the cooperation of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.