Qatar Denies Capture of Iranian Pilots Amid Fighter Jet Clash: Militar

Iran has called for the release of three pilots it claims were captured by Qatar after two of its fighter jets were hit by air defences during a military operation at the start of a conflict.

The incident occurred on 2 March 2026, the third day of the war. In a letter to the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iran's Brig Gen Mohammad Bagherzadeh claimed the pilots – Javad Salehi, Abdul Majid Dashtian, and Imran Behroshian – had been held captive for six months.

Qatar Denies Capture Claims

Qatar "categorically denied" Iran's claims, saying it was "surprised by these misleading statements." The Gulf nation's foreign affairs spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, stated that contact had been made with the pilots "after they violated Qatari airspace," but that it had not received a response.

The necessary measures were taken to defend our territory in accordance with international law, Al Ansari said in a statement on X. Qatar's search and rescue teams "carried out their duties to the fullest extent in searching for the pilots' remains," he added, saying the Gulf nation had contacted Iran to coordinate the handover of the remains of one of the pilots that were recovered.

Iranian Calls for Investigation

Bagerzadeh later told the semi-official Tasnim news agency that Qatar should allow an Iranian fact-finding team into the country to investigate what had happened, claiming one had been denied entry for months. The letter also claimed the three pilots had not been allowed to meet or contact their families, violating "the inalienable rights of these prisoners, contrary to all international laws and regulations."

Iran has accused Qatar of violating international law, but the Gulf nation maintains that it acted in accordance with international law. The conflict between Iran and Qatar has been escalating since the start of the war, with both sides trading accusations and counter-accusations.

Search and Rescue Efforts

Qatar's foreign affairs spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, said an invitation for an Iranian team to visit Qatar to review the findings of its search and rescue operation had been extended in April but Tehran had yet to respond. Al Ansari stated that Qatar's search and rescue teams had carried out their duties to the fullest extent in searching for the pilots' remains.

The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of prisoners of war and the conduct of military operations in the region. The conflict between Iran and Qatar has been a major point of contention in the region, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law.

Source: JOY