Qatar denies capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets
Iran claims they have been held since Qatar downed two fighter jets at the start of the US-Iran war.
Qatar has refuted claims by Iran that it is holding three Iranian pilots captive following the downing of fighter jets.
Iran is demanding the release of three pilots, alleging their capture by Qatar after two fighter jets were struck by air defenses. This incident reportedly occurred during a military operation targeting a Qatari military base on March 2, 2026, at the onset of the US-Iran war.
Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh of Iran, in a letter addressed to the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), stated that pilots Javad Salehi, Abdul Majid Dashtian, and Imran Behroshian have been held for six months. He also mentioned that the remains of a fourth pilot, Majid Kazemi, were returned after he was killed in the same operation on March 2, 2026, which marked the third day of the conflict.
Qatar has "categorically denied" these assertions, expressing its "surprise by these misleading statements."
General Bagherzadeh asserted that the three pilots were captured by Qatar after they ejected from their jets during the combat mission against a Qatari military base. In his letter to ICRC chief Mirjana Spoljaric, which was published by Iranian media, he accused Qatar of infringing upon "the inalienable rights of these prisoners, contrary to all international laws and regulations." The letter further claimed that the three pilots have been denied contact with their families.
Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, Qatar's foreign affairs spokesperson, stated that contact was attempted with the pilots "after they violated Qatari airspace," but no response was received. He added in a statement on X that "the necessary measures were taken to defend our territory in accordance with international law."
Al Ansari also noted that Qatar's search and rescue teams "carried out their duties to the fullest extent in searching for the pilots' remains." He confirmed that Qatar contacted Iran to "co-ordinate the handover of the remains of one of the pilots that were recovered," and that Tehran has yet to respond to an invitation to review the details of the search and rescue operation.
In related news, Qatar has indicated that US-Iran mediation efforts are ongoing, though no direct talks are currently scheduled. Additionally, a US aircraft carrier is en route to relieve the USS Lincoln following reported issues aboard, and the US has stated that a helicopter fired missiles to disable a ship that was breaking an Iranian blockade.