Qatar denies capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets

Iran has demanded the release of three captured pilots they claim were detained by Qatar following two of their fighter jets being shot down during a military operation at the onset of the US-Iranian war. In a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iran's Brig Gen Mohammad Bagherzadeh stated that the pilots – Javad Salehi, Abdul Majid Dashtian, and Imran Behroshian – had been held captive for six months.

He said that a fourth pilot, Majid Kazemi, had been returned after being killed in the same operation on March 2, 2026, which was the third day of the war. Qatar "firmly denied" Iran's allegations, expressing surprise at the "misleading statements." Brig Gen Bagherzadeh accused Qatar of violating the "inalienable rights of these prisoners" and not allowing them to contact their families.

Qatar's foreign affairs spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, stated that contact had been made with the pilots "after they violated Qatari airspace," but provided no response. He added that Qatar had taken necessary measures to defend its territory in accordance with international law. Al Ansari said that Qatar's search and rescue teams had carried out their duties fully to the extent possible, searching for the pilots' remains.

Qatar had also contacted Iran to coordinate the handover of the remains of one of the recovered pilots. Brig Gen Bagherzadeh later told the semi-official Tasnim news agency that Qatar should permit an Iranian fact-finding team into the country to investigate the incident, claiming one had been denied entry for months. Al Ansari mentioned that an invitation for an Iranian team to visit Qatar and review the findings of the search and rescue operation was extended in April but Tehran had not responded.