According to a representative of the US Central Command, Captain Tim Hawkins, the Iranian cargo vessel Touska, previously detained in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz along with its 22-member crew, has been transferred to Pakistan.
ABC News reports that the US military has already completed the repatriation process for the crew. It is also noted that six additional individuals had earlier been transferred to one of the regional countries. The US side stated that the vessel has been returned to its previous owner.
The report says that the Iran-flagged Touska attempted to breach the US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman on April 19. It is claimed that the vessel ignored warnings during its movement, prompting intervention.
It is further reported that US Navy action damaged the ship’s engine compartment, after which its movement toward the port of Bandar Abbas was halted.
Iran, however, has described the incident as an “armed act of piracy” and stated that it is considering retaliatory measures.
