Islamabad (Turkiye News) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has intensified diplomatic efforts for the safe return of Pakistani and Iranian sailors aboard ships currently in US custody.
In a statement posted on X, Ishaq Dar said that he contacted Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and requested cooperation for the repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian sailors. He said the vessels taken into US custody are currently located in maritime waters near Singapore.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also in continuous contact regarding the matter, while Pakistan would facilitate the safe return of Iranian citizens through Pakistani territory if needed.
He said that the Foreign Office and other relevant institutions are continuously engaged with US authorities and international partners to ensure the safety and early repatriation of Pakistani citizens.
According to the Foreign Office, Singapore’s Foreign Minister appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability and facilitating Iran-US negotiations. The two sides also discussed maritime security and recent incidents occurring in international waters.
The statement said that both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of continuing high-level contacts.
It is worth mentioning that in recent days Pakistan had also facilitated the repatriation of crew members from a vessel linked to Iran that had been taken into US custody, while reports suggest that at least 15 Iranian sailors have already returned to Iran this week.
The Foreign Office described this development as part of ongoing confidence-building efforts.
It should be noted that a vessel linked to the Iran Shipping Line was intercepted by US forces near Chabahar Port in the Gulf of Oman on April 19. According to US authorities, the vessel failed to comply with repeated warnings and was accused of violating a US naval blockade.
