KABUL: The United States is set to release an Iranian commercial vessel and its crew after two weeks of detention, according to Iranian state media.
Fars News Agency, citing ABC News, reported Monday that the ship, identified as “Tuska,” along with its 22 crew members, will soon be freed in what was described as an imminent return.
According to the report, the United States Central Command has begun the formal process of returning the vessel and facilitating the crew’s transfer back to Iran.
The 22 Iranian sailors, who had been held by U.S. forces for more than two weeks, have reportedly been moved to Pakistan and are expected to return to Tehran from there. Earlier, six crew members had already been released and repatriated via a third country.
The vessel itself is expected to be returned to Pakistani waters before being handed back to its owner.
The “Tuska,” which had departed from China carrying cargo bound for Iran, was seized by U.S. forces following the start of a reported naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.
U.S. to release seized Iranian Vessel “Tuska” and 22 crew members
