The United States has completed the process for the return of the crew aboard the vessel named Touska. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), announced in a statement to ABC News that the 22 crew members on board the ship have been transferred to Pakistan to be returned to Iran.

Hawkins also noted that the other 6 individuals on the vessel were sent to another country in the region last week to be repatriated to their home countries. Additionally, it was stated that the Touska vessel is also being returned to its owner.

Touska is an Iranian-flagged container ship built in 2008.

What happened to the Touska vessel? The Touska vessel came into the spotlight following the increased security tensions in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas, leading to the intervention of U.S. forces. The situation of the crew aboard the vessel had drawn attention from the international community within the framework of maritime security operations in the region.

U.S. forces seized and stopped the vessel in April 2026 in the Oman Sea.

U.S. officials stated that the safety of the crew was ensured following the incident and that the repatriation processes were conducted in accordance with international procedures. The ship was then taken into the process of being returned to its owner after inspections.

During the intervention, the engine room of the vessel was struck, halting its mobility, and subsequently, Marines boarded the ship.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye