Qatar on Saturday rejected Iran’s claim that Doha holds three Iranian pilots alive. The dispute concerns two Su-24 aircraft that went down in March.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said Qatar recovered the remains of only one pilot. He also said Doha invited Iranian officials to review its search operation.
However, Iranian official Mohammad Bagherzadeh said Qatar had detained three pilots for about six months. He identified them as Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian and Omran Beh-Raveshian.
Bagherzadeh sent the claim to the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to Iranian media. He also asked for the pilots’ release.
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Meanwhile, Al Ansari said Qatari forces contacted the Iranian aircraft after they entered Qatar’s airspace. The pilots did not respond, he said. Qatar then took defensive action under its rules of engagement.
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Qatar’s Defence Ministry said two Iranian Su-24 aircraft entered its airspace during an operation targeting Al Udeid Air Base in March. Qatari forces then shot down the aircraft, according to the ministry.
Afterwards, Qatari search teams looked for the pilots. Al Ansari said the teams found one body and coordinated with Iran over its return.
Qatar also invited an Iranian team to Doha in April to review the search details. Al Ansari said Tehran had not responded to the invitation.
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The dispute comes as Qatar continues diplomatic efforts involving Tehran and Washington. Doha has said those efforts aim to reduce regional tensions.
