GULF OF OMAN — U.S. forces evacuated 22 crew members of the seized Iranian container ship M/V Touska to Pakistan on Sunday night as a confidence-building measure, according to a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The crew members will be handed over to Iranian authorities, and the vessel will be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs.

The returns are being coordinated with the support of both Iranian and U.S. sides, Islamabad said. "Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building measures and will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security," the Foreign Ministry's statement read.

Captain Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, confirmed the handover in a separate statement. "US forces completed the transfer of 22 crew members of M/V Touska to Pakistan for repatriation," Hawkins said. He added that additional personnel from the vessel had been moved earlier: "Six other passengers were already transferred to a regional country for repatriation last week."

The transfer of the ship itself is also under way. "Custody of Touska is currently being transferred back to its original ownership after the ship was intercepted and seized when attempting to violate the US naval blockade against Iran last month," he said.

The Touska was boarded and seized by U.S. forces on April 19 off the coast of Iran's Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was part of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines group, which has been subject to U.S. sanctions.