Washington Transfers 22 Iranian Sailors to Their Consulate in Pakistan After Tanker Detention

The Iranian Consulate General in Karachi, Pakistan, announced the transfer of 22 crew members from an Iranian oil tanker, previously seized by the United States, to the consulate premises as a step toward repatriating them to Iran.

According to a statement released by the consulate on Friday, the sailors arrived at Karachi port in the presence of officials from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where emergency entry procedures were completed before handing them over to the Iranian consulate representative.

The consulate added that the crew would remain at a temporary residence after administrative procedures and coordination with local authorities are finalized, with plans to return them to Iran within the coming days.

Earlier, the Pakistani government declared its intention to facilitate the return of the Iranian sailors upon their arrival in Karachi, following the US seizure of their tanker.

Separately, Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency reported last Sunday that it had transferred eight Iranian fishermen to Karachi port after rescuing them from an incident at sea. The fishermen returned to Iran the following day in coordination with the Iranian Consulate General in Karachi.

In related regional developments, the Israeli military announced control over "Ali Al-Taher Hill" in southern Lebanon.