Qatar Rejects Claims of Detaining Iranian Pilots, States Iran Ignored Rescue Invitation

Qatar has firmly rejected allegations that it detained three Iranian pilots following the March 2 attacks on Al Udeid Airbase. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari dismissed the claims as "misleading" as diplomatic efforts continue to de-escalate regional tensions.

The denial followed statements made on Saturday by Iranian authorities demanding the release of three pilots allegedly captured alive by Qatari forces after two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets crashed during attacks on the U.S. base. Mohammad Bagherzadeh, head of the Missing Persons Search Committee of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, raised the allegations in a letter addressed to Mirjana Spoljarić Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), stating the pilots were part of a four-person crew.

In response, Majed Al-Ansari stated on X: “We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots and are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time, amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.”

Al-Ansari explained that Qatar made contact with the pilots after they breached Qatari airspace and tracked their target trajectory. Following standard rules of engagement and failed attempts at communication, necessary defensive measures were implemented in line with international law.

Addressing the search operations, Al-Ansari noted that Qatari rescue teams searched for the pilots' remains and coordinated with Iran to return the remains of one recovered pilot under international humanitarian law. Furthermore, Qatar extended an invitation in April for an Iranian team to review the search and rescue operations, though Al-Ansari confirmed that the Iranian side has yet to respond.