Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar has announced that Pakistan is facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian citizens. The individuals will travel through Karachi before returning to Iran.
Dar shared the update on X, stating, “Pakistan is pleased to facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals.”
He explained that the group consists of eight fishermen and 22 crew members. The fishermen were rescued at sea by a British vessel named MMA Valour after their boat ran aground. The crew members were on the vessel Lenore/Davina, which was intercepted by United States (US) authorities.
Islamabad is coordinating with authorities from Iran, the US, and the UK to manage the transit. He noted that Pakistan is committed to humanitarian cooperation and will provide assistance in similar situations.
The development follows an earlier repatriation effort in May. On May 15, Dar stated that the government managed the return of 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians through Singapore. Those individuals were also on board vessels seized by the US.
The US actions occurred in May when its Navy enforced a blockade of Iranian ports. The blockade followed unsuccessful negotiations regarding the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz.
During the previous operations, Dar thanked the governments of the US and Singapore for their cooperation, which occurred after Pakistan requested assistance. He also thanked the government of Thailand for allowing transit through Bangkok.
