Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that Pakistan was pleased to assist in the return of 30 Iranian nationals to their homeland.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Dar said the group comprises eight Iranian fishermen who were rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground, along with 22 Iranian crew members from the vessel Lenore/Davina, which was recently intercepted by US authorities.
According to Dar, both groups are expected to transit through Karachi in the coming days before continuing their journey to Iran.
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He added that Pakistan is maintaining close coordination with Iranian, American and British authorities to ensure the safe transit and swift return of the individuals. Reaffirming Islamabad’s humanitarian commitment, Dar said Pakistan would continue extending every possible assistance to its “Iranian brothers.”
The development comes after US forces earlier this month intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker Davina in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, also known as Lenore, was placed under US sanctions in October 2024 for its alleged involvement in Iranian oil trading.
Ship-tracking data indicated that the supertanker, capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil, was nearly fully loaded at the time of its interception.
Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a mediator between the United States and Iran amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In May, Islamabad facilitated the return of 22 crew members from a US-seized Iranian vessel after their release and transfer to Pakistan.
