Iran claimed on August 15 that Qatar captured three of its pilots after downing their Su-24 fighter jets during a military operation in March 2026 amid the US-Iran war [1, 2, 3]. The pilots named by Iran are Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian. Iran’s Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh said in a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that the pilots have been held incommunicado for six months without contact with their families or diplomats [1, 2, 4, 3]. "Three Iranian pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces after their Su-24 fighter jets crashed during the war," Bagherzadeh stated [2].
The incident dates back to March 2, when two Iranian Su-24s were shot down by Qatari air defenses over airspace near Al Udeid Air Base. One pilot, Majid Kazemi, was killed and his remains recovered and returned to Iran [1, 4]. Qatar confirmed the downing and recovery of Kazemi’s body and said it took action to defend its airspace. A Qatari foreign affairs spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, said, "The necessary measures were taken to defend our territory in accordance with international law. Search and rescue teams carried out their duties to the fullest extent" [1].
Qatar categorically denies holding any of the surviving Iranian pilots or detaining them in any form. The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed Al-Ansari, called Iran’s claims "misleading" and said the pilots violated Qatari airspace and failed to respond to warnings or communication attempts [1, 5, 4]. "We are surprised by the misleading statements regarding the Iranian pilots amid the continuation of diplomatic efforts," Al-Ansari added [4].
The dispute remains stark, with Iran insisting the three pilots are being held captive in Qatar while Qatar denies any detention. The crew members’ status remains unconfirmed outside these claims and denials.
The incident and the conflicting claims highlight ongoing tensions surrounding military activities in the region. There has been no independent verification of the pilots’ status. The Qatari government confirmed recovery and repatriation of the single pilot killed in March but maintains no surviving personnel were taken into custody.
Iran’s formal communication to the ICRC marks the latest development in the six-month-old case. Further efforts by international bodies to verify the whereabouts and treatment of the pilots may follow.
