Detained Iranian Oil Tanker Crew Handed Over to Pakistan Amid New Developments in Strait of Hormuz Navigation

Informed sources reported that the United States handed over 22 Iranian crew members of the oil tanker (MT Lenore), previously detained in the Indian Ocean, to Pakistani authorities. Pakistan subsequently facilitated their transfer to the Iranian diplomatic mission in Karachi to secure their return. Simultaneously, it was announced that a direct communication line has been established between Washington and Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Reports confirmed that three oil tankers reversed their course from the strait following warnings from the Iranian naval forces, which emphasized that transit through the strait is restricted strictly to routes designated by Tehran.