Thriller with 3 Iranian pilots: 'We don't have them,' says Qatar

A dispute has emerged between Iran and Qatar over the whereabouts of three Iranian pilots who have been missing since March, with both nations presenting starkly different versions of events. The case adds another layer of tension to the already strained relationship between the two countries.

Tehran asserts that the three pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces following the downing of two Iranian Su-24 aircraft on March 2 during an alleged attack on a U.S. base in Qatar. Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh, head of the Iranian armed forces' Missing Persons Committee, stated that the pilots survived the incident and called for their release and investigation into their fate. The missing individuals have been identified as Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Nastian, and Omran Bahrouyan.

“

We do not have them.

Qatar, however, categorically denies Iran's claims. Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that his country is not holding any Iranian pilots. According to the Qatari version, the Iranian aircraft violated Qatari airspace and did not respond to communication attempts. Following search and rescue operations, the body of only one pilot was reportedly recovered.

Doha claims it contacted Tehran to coordinate the handover of the body but has not yet received a response. Iran insists that three individuals survived the crash and were captured, while Qatar maintains it has none of them in its custody. This unresolved discrepancy is expected to trigger further diplomatic reactions.

“

The three pilots survived and were captured by Qatar's forces.