Qatar calls Iran’s claim ‘misleading’, denies capturing 3 pilots after March strike

Qatar firmly rejected Iran's assertions that it had detained three Iranian military pilots captured following their fighter jets being downed during a March operation, describing the claims as misleading and made during a delicate period aimed at de-escalating regional tensions. Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that authorities had attempted to reach out to the pilots post-alleged violations of Qatari airspace, but received no response.

Subsequently, Qatar acted within its rules of engagement to safeguard its territory. Al-Ansari emphasized that Qatar categorically denies the reported detention of Iranian pilots and expressed surprise at the timing of these misleading statements. The spokesperson also pointed out that Qatari search and rescue teams were actively involved in the search, ultimately coordinating with Iran to hand over the remains of one pilot found.

Additionally, Qatar invited an Iranian team in April to review the search and rescue procedures, but claims Tehran never responded. The statement follows Iranian media reports claiming that three pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces after ejecting from two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets during a mission targeting a US military base in Qatar.

The Iranian commanders, General Mohammad Bagherzadeh and another senior military official, reported that the pilots had been held for six months and requested the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to gain access. These claims stem from the ongoing regional conflict that escalated in February when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, leading to retaliatory actions against U.S. military installations in the Gulf, including the attack on the US base in Qatar.

Qatar maintains that the Iranian pilots violated its airspace and failed to respond to Qatari attempts to establish contact, prompting the country to take necessary measures to defend its territory in line with international law. Meanwhile, Iran has previously acknowledged some pilots as missing, with its army announcing the recovery of Iranian pilot Majid Kazemi's body, killed in an attack on Al Udeid Air Base in early March.

The dispute over the pilots' fate has heightened tensions, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Following a February cease-fire and subsequent peace talks, a lull in fighting has persisted since late July.