Qatar denies it is detaining three Iranian bomber pilots

Published On 15 Aug 202615 Aug 2026Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has denied Iran’s claims that three Iranian pilots are being held in secret detention following the downing of their aircraft during hostilities earlier this year.A ministry spokesman expressed surprise on Saturday at “misleading statements” from Iranian officials and reaffirmed that Qatari forces are not holding any surviving aircrew.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US threatens ‘indefinite’ blockade against Iran: How long can it last?list 2 of 3Iran says no decision yet on a return to talks with the USlist 3 of 3A US territory? Trump unveils proposal to control Strait of Hormuzend of list“We are surprised by the misleading statements regarding the Iranian pilots amid the continuation of diplomatic efforts,” said Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed Al-Ansari, according to our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic.His statement followed public demands from Tehran seeking the release of the aviators. General Mohammad Bagherzadeh of the Iranian armed forces said in a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross that three pilots, Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian and Omran Behraveshian, were captured a...