Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar announced on Friday that 22 Iranian sailors from the vessel Lenore/Davina, recently seized by US authorities, have reached Karachi. The crew will be repatriated to Iran following an interim peace agreement signed between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland. Pakistan and Qatar served as mediators in this agreement, which aims to restore diplomatic ties and prepare for technical-level negotiations set to resume next week.
In a statement on X, Dar explained that arrangements for the safe and swift return of the sailors were being finalized in close cooperation with Iranian diplomatic missions in Pakistan. He emphasized that Pakistan maintained continuous communication with both the US and Iranian governments throughout the process, facilitating the crew’s secure arrival in Karachi after the vessel’s interdiction.
This group represents the fourth batch of Iranian nationals repatriated via Pakistan in the past two months. To date, Pakistan has assisted in the return of more than 70 Iranian citizens, including the latest 22 crew members. Dar expressed appreciation for the trust placed in Pakistan by Iranian authorities and praised the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions for ensuring the smooth repatriation.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state news agency Irna confirmed that the sailors have been handed over to Iranian diplomats in Karachi and are expected to return to Iran shortly. The Iranian Consulate General in Karachi also acknowledged the arrival, stating the 22 crew members “will return to their homeland in the coming days.”
Earlier this month, Dar had announced Pakistan’s role in facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, which included eight fishermen rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground, alongside the 22 crew members from Lenore/Davina. These coordinated efforts highlight Pakistan’s ongoing role as a mediator in the evolving US-Iran diplomatic engagement.
