**DOHA, Qatar** — The Qatari government on Saturday categorically denied reports that it is detaining three Iranian pilots, dismissing the allegations as misleading amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.
Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, stated on social media that contact had been established with the pilots after they allegedly breached Qatari airspace and their targeting trajectory was confirmed.
“We categorically deny the claims that have been circulated regarding the detention of Iranian pilots, and we are surprised by these misleading statements at this specific timing,” Al-Ansari said.
According to the Qatari spokesperson, authorities attempted to communicate with the pilots. After receiving no response, Qatari forces followed rules of engagement and took necessary measures to defend Qatari territory in accordance with international law.
Regarding search and rescue operations, Qatar stated its teams searched for the pilots’ remains and subsequently coordinated with Iran to hand over the remains of one pilot who was recovered.
“Qatari search and rescue teams, which possess global efficiency and expertise, fulfilled their duty to the fullest in searching for the pilots’ remains,” Al-Ansari said. He added that Qatar had invited an Iranian team in April to review details of the search and rescue operations, but claimed the Iranian side has not yet responded.
The Qatari response followed a report published Saturday by Iran’s Fars News Agency, which claimed that three military pilots were captured by Qatari forces after two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets were downed during a March operation targeting a U.S. base in Qatar.
According to the Fars News Agency report, Mohammad Bagherzadeh, Commander of the Search Committee for the Missing of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, identified the pilots as Javad Salehi, Abdol-Majid Dashtian, and Emran Behrushian. Bagherzadeh alleged they have been held by Qatari forces for six months.
Bagherzadeh further alleged that the Qatari government has prevented the three pilots from meeting one another, being interviewed, or contacting their families and Iranian officials, and called for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to be granted access to them.
Article and image source: iranherald.com
