Iran confirms three pilots held by Qatar after attack

TEHRAN: (Staff Reporter) – Iran has publicly confirmed for the first time that three of its Air Force pilots who went missing following a March 2 attack on a US military base in Qatar are allegedly being held by Qatari forces.

According to Iranian state media, Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh, who heads the Iranian Armed Forces’ committee responsible for locating missing personnel, has appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to investigate the pilots’ condition and help secure their release.

In a letter addressed to ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, Bagherzadeh said two Iranian Su-24 aircraft had carried out a mission against the US-operated Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar on March 2, 2026. He claimed the aircraft completed their mission but came under attack from air-defense systems while returning, forcing their crews to eject.

Iranian authorities say four pilots were aboard the two aircraft. According to Bagherzadeh, one pilot, Majid Kazemi, was killed, while his remains were later recovered and transferred to Iran for burial.

The Iranian official further claimed that the other three pilots—Javad Salehi, Abdulhamid Dashtian and Imran Bahraviashian—survived the incident and were captured by Qatari forces.

Bagherzadeh alleged that Iranian authorities have been unable to meet the pilots, communicate with them or establish contact with their families despite diplomatic efforts. He also called for the matter to be investigated under applicable international law.

He urged the Red Cross to immediately visit the three pilots, provide information about their health and current condition, and assist in securing their release.

The latest claim comes after months of uncertainty over the whereabouts of the three Iranian airmen. Iranian military officials had previously said efforts to determine their fate were continuing, while Qatari authorities had reportedly maintained that they had no information about the missing personnel.

Iranian military officials said the two Su-24 aircraft had taken off from Shahid Doran Air Base in Shiraz and targeted Al-Udeid Air Base before being intercepted during their return flight.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense had previously stated that its Air Force had shot down two Iranian Su-24 aircraft approaching from Iran.

Note: The claims about the three pilots being in Qatari custody are attributed to Iranian authorities. Independent confirmation of their current status was not provided in the material supplied.