Pakistan repatriates 31 seafarers held by US from Iranian vessels

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Friday that 31 seafarers — 11 Pakistani nationals and 20 Iranian citizens — have been repatriated after being detained aboard vessels seized by the United States in Asian waters last month, with the group transiting through Singapore and Bangkok under a coordinated diplomatic arrangement. Dar stated on the social media platform X that all individuals were in "good health and high spirits" after traveling from Singapore to Bangkok, where they boarded onward flights. Pakistani nationals were expected to arrive in Islamabad later Friday, while Iranian citizens would be facilitated for their return to Tehran, he added.

Regional diplomacy

The foreign minister expressed gratitude to the governments of Singapore and Thailand for facilitating transit arrangements through Bangkok at Pakistan's request. Dar also thanked Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for placing trust in Islamabad to assist in the repatriation of Iranian nationals alongside Pakistani citizens. He noted that coordination support from US authorities — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio — proved instrumental in facilitating the return process.

Maritime interdictions

The repatriation follows last month's US military interception of at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters as Washington imposed a maritime blockade on Tehran's trade. Earlier this month, the US also transferred to Pakistan an Iranian-linked vessel intercepted by the US Navy after allegedly attempting to breach the blockade, along with 22 crew members who were subsequently returned to Iran.