Qatar denies Iran's claim of detaining three pilots after jet downing

Doha has vehemently denied Tehran's accusations that Qatar detained three Iranian pilots after their fighter jets were reportedly shot down by Qatari air defense systems during a military operation early in the Iran-U.S. war. Iran had previously called for the release of these pilots, claiming they were held for six months after ejecting from their aircraft over Qatar on March 2.

Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh of Iran alleged in a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that the pilots, identified as Javad Salehi, Abdul Majid Dashtian, and Imran Behroshian, were detained. He also claimed the body of a fourth pilot, Majid Kazemi, was handed over to Iran after he was killed in the same operation on March 2, 2026.

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We have taken the necessary measures to defend our territory in accordance with international law.

Bagherzadeh further accused Qatar of violating the pilots' rights and international law, stating they were denied contact with their families. However, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, expressed shock at the "misleading statements." Al Ansari confirmed that Qatar did attempt to contact the pilots after they entered Qatari airspace but received no feedback.

Al Ansari emphasized that Qatar took necessary measures to defend its territory in accordance with international law and that Qatari search and rescue teams conducted their duties to find the pilots. He added that Qatar contacted Iran to coordinate the handover of one pilot's remains, but Tehran has yet to respond to an invitation to review the search and rescue details.

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Qatar's search and rescue teams carried out their duties fully in an effort to find the remains or bodies of the pilots involved.