Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has formally rejected allegations from Tehran that it is holding three Iranian pilots in secret detention. Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari expressed surprise at the claims, confirming that Qatari forces are not holding any surviving aircrew following the downing of two Iranian Su-24 bombers in March.
Tehran had demanded the release of Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian, asserting they were captured after their aircraft entered Qatari airspace. Doha stated that search and rescue teams recovered only the remains of one pilot, Majid Kazemi, which have been returned to Iran. Qatar further noted that it invited Iranian officials to review search operations in April, but received no response.
This diplomatic friction follows the collapse of regional peace framework talks in June. While Iran continues to enforce a blockade near the Strait of Hormuz, Qatar remains engaged in mediation efforts between Tehran and the United States despite ongoing regional tensions.
