Read Authentic Ratings for the Touska

**Title: Crew Members of 'Touska' Set for Repatriation to Iran** On May 4, 2023, Islamabad announced that 22 crew members of the 'Touska,' which had been detained by the United States, are set to be evacuated to Pakistan before their return to Iran. The Foreign Ministry described this operation as a "confidence-building measure," reflecting collaborative efforts from both nations involved. In a significant development on the same day, 15 crew members successfully made their way back to Iran. Additionally, prior to this, six passengers related to some of the crew were transferred to a nearby country for their repatriation last week. This move highlights ongoing diplomatic engagements and efforts to facilitate the safe return of personnel following the vessel's seizure.

**Title: US Navy Frees Six Crew Members of 'Touska' Amidst Controversial Gulf Incident** In a significant update from the Gulf of Oman, six Iranian crew members from the detained cargo ship 'Touska' have been released by the United States Navy. The crew members returned to Iran on April 29, following their release. The 'Touska', which was apprehended on April 19, is currently holding the remaining 22 crew members on board. The vessel was intercepted after the USS 'Spruance' fired shots into its engine room, culminating in a tense six-hour standoff. This act has sparked sharp criticism from Iran, which condemned the seizure of the 'Touska' as an act of piracy and claimed that the United States has violated international maritime law. As the situation unfolds, the maritime community is closely monitoring the repercussions of this incident and its potential implications for future naval interactions in the region.

**Title: China Dismisses Link to 'Touska' Amid Allegations of Weapons-Grade Chemicals** In a firm rebuttal, China has categorically denied any affiliation with the vessel 'Touska', which is reportedly under scrutiny for transporting chemicals purportedly used in the production of missile weaponry. Reports surfaced claiming that the ship, seized by US authorities, was en route from China to Iran, allegedly carrying hazardous materials intended for missile development while disregarding multiple orders to halt. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has clarified that the 'Touska' is a foreign container ship and has vehemently dismissed any unfounded connections or conjectures linking Beijing to this maritime incident. China's firm stance emphasizes its commitment to dispelling misinformation that could potentially tarnish its international reputation.

**Title: Iran Appeals to UN for Immediate Release of Seized Vessel 'Touska'** In a strong diplomatic move, Iran has called upon the United Nations to urge the United States to promptly and unconditionally release the commercial vessel 'Touska' along with its crew and their families. The appeal was articulated by Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, in a letter addressed to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council on April 22. Ambassador Iravani condemned the US military's actions, which he alleges involved the unlawful capture of the 'Touska' near Iran's coastline. He characterized this act as both hostile and illegal, encompassing intimidation, coercion, and reckless endangerment of the individuals aboard, particularly impacting their families. Highlighting the breach of fundamental international legal principles, Iravani emphasized that the seizure represents a violation of the prohibition on aggression. He described the tactics employed during the incident as maritime piracy, warning that such actions threaten the safety and security of essential shipping lanes, aligning with the characteristics of aggression outlined in a pertinent UN General Assembly resolution. Moreover, he raised concerns that this incident undermines the ceasefire announced by former President Trump on April 7 and poses an alarming threat to both regional and international peace and security. Iran has urged the UN to officially condemn the US actions, to hold accountable those behind the incident, and to advocate for the restoration of the 'Touska' and the safety of all individuals on board. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also denounced the American actions, labeling them an act of terrorism. As of now, there has been no immediate response from the United States regarding Iran's urgent appeal.

**Title: Iran Denounces US Seizure of 'Touska' in the Sea of Oman** In a formal communication to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council, Iran's ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, expressed strong disapproval regarding the recent seizure of the 'Touska'. This incident occurred on April 19, when US military forces reportedly executed a hostile operation near Iranian waters in the Sea of Oman. In his letter, dated April 21, Iravani accused the US of employing coercion and intimidation, and described their actions as recklessly endangering the ship's crew. Iravani asserted that the attack constituted a severe breach of international law, describing it as an act of aggression and likening it to piracy. He emphasized that the incident violated a ceasefire established on April 8 and invoked the principles outlined in UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 from 1974, which aims to uphold regional and international peace. Condemning the US actions vehemently, Iran's ambassador called upon the Security Council and the secretary-general to respond promptly and decisively. He urged for a clear condemnation of the seizure, accountability for those involved, and the immediate release of the 'Touska', its crew members, their families, and all affected parties without any preconditions. Iravani requested the registration and circulation of his letter as an official document of the Security Council, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

The "Touska" will depart Shenzhen port in the Guangdong Province bound to Bandar Abbas after minor repairs and loading its cargo. The ship entered the port in the evening of Nov 7 in coordination with Hong Kong officials in a bid to assess the damages.

Enroute from Kaoshiung to Shenzen the "Touska" ran aground on Nov 5, 2017, at 9.15 p.m. at the eastern tip of Magazine island, where in the late 19th century British merchants established a powder depot for the supply of British troops stationed in Hong Kong, opposite to South Horizons. The residents of Hoi Yi were alerted by the noise of the ship crashing onto the rocks and watched sparks from the bow after collision with ground. At the time of grounding the ship was moving with 7,5 knots when it left the fairway on the East Lamma Channel before running into Magazine Island, an uninhabited islet about 400 metres off residential estate South Horizons on Ap Lei Chau, after having turned hard to starboard. The Marine Police, Fire Department and the Marine Department rushed to the scene, also an ambulance was called to the scene, but the crew of 28 was not injured. The Hong Kong based tug "Hai Hoi (IMO: 9688271 ), the fireboats 1 and 4 and the plot boat "Pilot 1" were deployed to the grounding site. On Nov 6 only the tug "Hai Tong" (MMSI: 477046500) was near the ship. Reports with photos: https://www.hk01.com/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/131213/-%E8%B2%A8%E8%88%B9%E6%93%B1%E6%B7%BA-%E6%92%9E%E7%81%AB%E8%97%A5%E6%B4%B2%E9%80%BE14%E5%B0%8F%E6%99%82-%E8%B2%A8%E8%88%B9%E4%BE%9D%E8%88%8A%E6%93%B1%E6%B7%BA%E5%B2%B8%E9%82%8A https://www.hk01.com/%E6%B8%AF%E8%81%9E/131147/-%E8%B2%A8%E8%88%B9%E6%93%B1%E6%B7%BA-300%E7%B1%B3%E9%95%B7%E8%B2%A8%E8%88%B9%E6%92%9E%E7%81%AB%E8%97%A5%E6%B4%B2%E6%93%B1%E6%B7%BA-%E6%B5%B7%E6%80%A1%E5%B1%85%E6%B0%91%E7%9B%B4%E6%93%8A%E8%88%B9%E9%A0%AD%E5%86%92%E7%81%AB%E8%8A%B1#&gid=1&pid=3 http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2118525/loud-noise-and-sparks-alarm-residents-cargo-ship-hits-islet

The three Iranian ships “Sahand”, “Sabalan” and “Tochal” were recently seized in Singapore. All ships were carrying containers, but were unloaded and are now empty.