Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has asked Singapore to help facilitate the return of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian crew members aboard ships seized by the United States, which are currently held near Singaporean waters. Dar, who is also coordinating with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said Pakistan stands ready to transfer Iranian nationals home via Pakistani territory. The move is part of broader diplomatic efforts following escalating maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz (a critical global shipping lane between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf), where Iran has effectively blocked traffic since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran in late February, prompting the US to impose its own blockade on vessels departing Iranian ports.