Dar announces the arrival of 22 Iranian crew members in Karachi

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday announced the safe arrival of 22 Iranian crew members of the Lenore/Davina ship to Karachi, who had recently been intercepted by US authorities, and said arrangements were being finalized for their early return to Iran.

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

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

“Arrangements are now being finalized in close collaboration with the Iranian missions in Pakistan to facilitate his early and safe return to his homeland,” he said.

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

According to Dar, the latest group was the fourth group 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 to facilitate the repatriation process.

“I also commend the dedicated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs team and all Pakistani institutions for their professionalism and commitment in ensuring the safe and smooth repatriation of our Iranian brothers to their homeland,” he said.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran. Iran responded with its own attacks against Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases. The United States began intercepting Iranian ships during the course of the conflict.

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

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

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