Qatar denies capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets
Iran has called for the release of three Iranian pilots it said were captured by Qatar after two fighter jets werehit by air defences during a military operation at the start of the US-Iran war.
Iran has requested the release of three Iranian pilots who were reportedly captured by Qatar following a military operation involving the downing of two fighter jets at the onset of the US-Iran war. In a letter addressed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Brig Gen Mohammad Bagherzadeh of Iran revealed that the pilots – Javad Salehi, Abdul Majid Dashtian, and Imran Behroshian – have been detained for six months.
Gen Bagherzadeh further stated that the body of a fourth pilot, Majid Kazemi, who was killed during the operation on March 2, 2026, the third day of the war, had been returned. Qatar vehemently denied Iran's claims, expressing surprise at the "misleading statements." According to Qatar's foreign affairs spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, contact was made with the pilots after they "violated Qatari airspace," but no response was received.
Al Ansari further stated that the defense of their territory was carried out in accordance with international law. Qatar's search and rescue teams conducted their duties to the fullest extent in searching for the pilots' remains. Qatar also contacted Iran to coordinate the return of Kazemi's remains, but Tehran has yet to respond to an invitation to review the details of the search and rescue operation.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
