Iran Claims Three Combat Pilots Held Captive in Qatar

The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff announced on Saturday that three of its combat pilots have been held by Qatar for six months. According to General Mohamad Bagherzade, the commander of the commission for missing personnel, the pilots were captured in March during Iranian military responses to attacks by the United States and Israel. The incident involved Russian made Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft. One source reports that two planes crashed following a successful mission, while another states the bombers were struck during a mission against a military base in Qatar. One pilot reportedly died, while the others were captured alive.

General Bagherzade has appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure the release of the pilots and report on their condition. Iranian officials claim that Qatar has ignored international laws regarding prisoners and has denied the pilots contact with their families or government representatives. The pilots were identified as Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian. It was also noted that a fourth pilot, Majid Kazemi, was previously returned to Iran.

Both the Qatari government and military have not yet confirmed the incident. The announcement comes amid reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been exchanging messages with Qatar and Pakistan regarding negotiations with the United States, although he stated that formal negotiations have not resumed.