(Photo from AFP PHOTO / HO / IRANIAN ARMY OFFICE)
Qatari authorities confirmed they are not detaining three Iranian pilots after their fighter jets were shot down during an attack on a base in Qatar last March, while Tehran accused Qatar of violating international law.
On Saturday, 15 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Iranian authorities demanded Qatar release three Iranian pilots they claim have been detained after two fighter jets were shot down by air defense systems during military operations at the start of the US-Iran war.
In a letter to Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh stated the three pilots—Javad Salehi, Abdul Majid Dashtian, and Imran Behroshian—have been held as prisoners for six months.
Iran accused Qatar of "violating the inalienable rights of these prisoners, contrary to all international laws and regulations." The letter also claimed the three pilots have been denied permission to meet or contact their families.
He added that the body of the fourth pilot, Majid Kazemi, was returned after he died in the same operation on 2 March 2026 GMT+7, the third day of the war.
Qatar completely denied Iran's allegations, stating it "was surprised by these statements that distort the truth."
Majid Mohammed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that on the day of the incident, contact was attempted with the pilots "after they violated Qatari airspace," but no response was received, and "necessary measures were taken to protect our territory in accordance with international law."
Al Ansari also said Qatar’s search and rescue teams "fully performed their duties in recovering the bodies of these pilots."
He stated that Qatar contacted Iran "to coordinate the handover of the recovered body of one pilot," but Tehran has not responded to invitations to participate in verifying the details of the search and recovery operation.
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Source:bbc