Crew of Detained Iranian Oil Tanker Handed Over to Islamabad Amid New Communication Channels on Hormuz

Informed sources reported that the United States has handed over 22 crew members of the detained Iranian oil tanker in the Indian Ocean to Pakistani authorities. As part of diplomatic arrangements, Pakistan subsequently transferred the crew to the Iranian Consulate in Karachi to facilitate their return. Concurrently, media reports indicated the establishment of a direct communication line between Washington and Tehran to discuss maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. In a related context, Iranian authorities confirmed that three oil tankers turned back from crossing the strait following warnings from the Revolutionary Guards' naval forces, who emphasized that passage is strictly limited to routes officially approved by Tehran.