Twenty Iranian sailors have returned to Iran after Pakistan played a key diplomatic role in securing their release from an oil tanker seized by US authorities over alleged sanctions violations, Iranian officials confirmed.
The sailors were part of the crew aboard the tanker Majestic X, which was intercepted by the US Navy on April 23 due to accusations of breaching international sanctions. Alongside the Iranian crew, 11 Pakistani nationals were also among those released.
According to officials, Pakistan coordinated closely with authorities in Singapore, Thailand, and the United States to arrange the safe return of the crew members. The sailors were first transported from Singapore to Islamabad. Pakistani crew members returned to their homes, while the Iranian sailors departed for Tehran on Thursday.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for their humanitarian efforts in facilitating the sailors’ release.
In a post on X, the ambassador thanked the Pakistani government and relevant institutions for their diplomatic support and assistance.
“I sincerely appreciate the humanitarian and benevolent action of the Government of Pakistan to pursue the release of 20 Iranian sailors who were in a precarious situation due to the seizure of their ship,” he stated.
He further noted that the sailors were transferred from Singapore to Islamabad through diplomatic coordination before being repatriated to Iran.
The incident comes at a time of rising regional tensions surrounding oil shipments and sanctions enforcement. It also marks the second reported case in recent weeks where Pakistan has mediated on behalf of Iranian nationals.
