Tehran, May 21: Twenty Iranian sailors, who were detained by the United States, returned to Tehran on Thursday. They managed to return home via Islamabad. According to Iran’s state media agency IRNA, this was made possible after diplomatic communications with several countries.
Reports indicate that Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi maintained ongoing discussions with his counterparts in Pakistan and Singapore regarding this matter. His efforts were successful, ensuring the safe return of the sailors.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the release followed “intensive consultations” among the foreign ministers of Iran, Pakistan, and Singapore. This incident involved a vessel that was previously seized by the U.S. The return process for the sailors was facilitated through mediation by regional countries.
Following the U.S. action, the crew members were stranded in maritime areas near Singapore. The ship carried 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian nationals.
After diplomatic negotiations, coordination among the foreign ministries of Iran, Pakistan, and Singapore ensured the safe return of all sailors.
Initially, the sailors were taken from Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand, and then transported to Islamabad, Pakistan. Finally, they were sent back to Tehran.
On April 19, U.S. forces seized a small container ship that was part of Iran’s IRISL (Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines) group, which was already under U.S. sanctions. This action took place near Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman.
The U.S. Central Command stated that the ship’s crew failed to comply with multiple warnings for nearly six hours, prompting U.S. forces to take action. They noted that the Iranian-flagged vessel was informed it was violating U.S. “blockade” regulations.
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