Six Iranian seafarers from the vessel Touska, which was detained by the US Navy in the Gulf of Oman on approximately 19 April has been released by US according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
The released crew members reportedly arrived in Iran on 29 April. Twenty-two crew members remain aboard the vessel.
Touska was detained shortly after the US announced its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was sailing from China to Iran when the US warship USS Spruance repeatedly ordered it to change course. After the crew failed to comply, the warship fired into the engine room, disabling the vessel’s propulsion.
Iran denounced the seizure as an act of piracy and accused the US of violating international maritime law.
