Islamabad seeks Singapore’s help in repatriation of Pakistani, Iranian nationals aboard US-seized vessels

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought the assistance of Singapore for the repatriation of over 30 Pakistani and Iranian nationals who were aboard vessels seized by the United States (US), the Pakistani foreign minister said on Friday.

US authorities have seized multiple vessels in recent weeks since the US navy imposed a blockade of the Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s stranglehold over the Strait of Hormuz, following the failure of their first round of talks to end their over two-month-war.

Pakistan FM Ishaq Dar said on Friday that he spoke with Singapore’s Vivian Balakrishnan and requested his country’s support in facilitating repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers aboard vessels seized by US authorities, which were near Singaporean waters.

“We appreciate the cooperation and support being extended by Singapore,” he said on X. “Pakistan, through its Foreign Office and relevant authorities, is closely coordinating with US authorities and others to ensure the safety, welfare, and earliest possible return of our nationals.”

Dar said he also spoke with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and both sides were in close coordination on the matter.

“Pakistan also stands ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan,” he added.

The development comes a day after the US and Iran again exchanged fire as Washington awaited Tehran’s response to a US proposal aimed at halting the fighting ​while leaving contentious ​issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, unresolved for now.

The hostilities threatened a ceasefire between both sides, reached on April 8, but President Donald Trump said the truce was still holding.

The conflict has left hundreds of ships and around 20,000 seafarers stranded inside the Gulf, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted by renewed attacks on vessels this week.

China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that an oil products tanker carrying Chinese crew was ​attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, expressing deep concern about vessels affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

There are Chinese nationals aboard the vessel, but no reported crew casualties so far, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular news conference.

The shaky ceasefire was further strained on Friday as the United Arab Emirates said it had responded to a missile and drone attack. There were no immediate reports of damage in the UAE.