The United States military has transferred 22 crew members from the seized Iranian container ship MV Tuskar to Pakistan for repatriation to Iran. The ship was detained last month in the Gulf of Oman after allegedly attempting to breach a US naval blockade. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed that the repatriation process was completed on Monday.

According to CENTCOM, the MV Tuskar was seized on April 20 during a US operation in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran has condemned the seizure, calling it an act of piracy. The US military stated that the vessel is now in the process of being returned to its previous ownership. In addition to the 22 crew members, six other passengers—believed to be family members of the sailors—were sent to a Middle Eastern country last week for repatriation.

The incident has added to ongoing maritime tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly over shipping routes in the region.