---
title: 'Pakistan Secures Repatriation of 31 Sailors From US-Seized Vessels'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/pakistan-secures-repatriation-31-sailors-us-seized-vessels/'
author: 'News Desk'
date: '2026-05-16T11:26:46+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Asia'
  - 'Pakistan'
  - 'World'
tags:
  - 'development'
  - 'health'
  - 'Iran'
  - 'Ishaq Dar'
  - 'Pakistan'
---

# Pakistan Secures Repatriation of 31 Sailors From US-Seized Vessels

**Islamabad (TDI):** Pakistan has announced the successful repatriation of 11 Pakistani citizens and 20 Iranian nationals who were previously aboard vessels seized by the United States in international waters, in a development tied to ongoing regional maritime tensions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that all 31 individuals are in good health and have already travelled from Singapore to Bangkok before arriving in Islamabad on a late-night flight.

In a post on X, Dar said the group had been recovered through coordinated diplomatic efforts involving Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. He also acknowledged the cooperation of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and thanked Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan for his role in facilitating the process.

The operation is being viewed as part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic activity aimed at managing rising tensions linked to US-Iran maritime disputes, while also assisting in humanitarian cases involving detained foreign sailors.

Officials in Islamabad say such efforts reflect Pakistan’s attempt to play a mediating role in the region, particularly as instability continues around key shipping routes in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier this month, Pakistan also helped arrange the evacuation and return of Iranian crew members from another seized vessel, an action described by officials as a confidence-building measure between Washington and Tehran.

**Read More: [Pakistan Seeks Singapore’s Help to Repatriate Nationals, Iranians on US-Seized Vessels](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/pakistan-seeks-singapores-help-repatriate-nationals-iranians-on-vessels/)**

In that case, the crew was transferred through Pakistan before being handed back to Iranian authorities, while arrangements were made for the vessel’s eventual return.

These repeated interventions highlight Islamabad’s growing diplomatic engagement at a time when maritime tensions between the United States and Iran have raised concerns over global trade and energy security.

Pakistan has also increased diplomatic contacts with regional and global partners in recent weeks, seeking to reduce escalation risks in the Gulf and maintain stability in key sea lanes.

**Read More: [FO Confirms Evacuation of 22 Crew Members from US-Seized Iranian Vessel](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/22-crew-members-on-seized-iranian-ship-evacuated-to-pakistan-fo/)**

Islamabad previously hosted direct Iran–US talks, although those discussions did not produce a breakthrough. Subsequent efforts to hold follow-up meetings also stalled due to mistrust between the two sides.