Iran has claimed that three of its fighter pilots, who were shot down in Qatar in March, are being held by the Qatari military. Qatar has immediately denied these allegations.
On August 15, the Iranian military's Missing Persons Committee stated that "three of the four occupants of two Su-24 bombers shot down in March have been captured by the Qatari military and have been detained for about six months," urging for their release.
In a public letter sent to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iran alleged that Qatar has not allowed the families of the pilots to meet or communicate with them. The pilots are identified as Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian.
Qatar has categorically denied Iran's claims. Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that "we are not holding any surviving Iranian pilots."
Al-Ansari explained that the Iranian aircraft were shot down after entering Qatari airspace and failing to respond to warnings. He added that during the search and rescue operation, the remains of one pilot were found, and discussions were held with Iran for repatriation.
Qatar claimed it invited Iran to discuss the search and rescue situation in April but did not receive a response.
Earlier, Qatar announced that its air force shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers on March 2, during the early stages of the Iran war, while the Iranian military was reportedly conducting operations targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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