Doha, August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Qatar has rejected claims that its forces detained Iranian pilots whose fighter jets were shot down during a military mission, calling the allegations misleading amid diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the region.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said authorities had established contact with the pilots after they violated Qatari airspace and verified the trajectory of the targeting.
“We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots and are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time,” Al Ansari said in a post on X.
He said Qatari authorities followed the rules of engagement and attempted to communicate with the pilots but received no response. Qatar then took measures to defend its territory in accordance with international law, he said, adding that the circumstances had been explained through official channels at the time.
According to Al Ansari, Qatari search-and-rescue teams later conducted operations to locate the pilots’ remains. Qatar also coordinated with Iranian authorities for the handover of the remains of one pilot who was recovered.
The denial came after an Iranian military commander claimed on Saturday that Qatari forces had captured three Iranian pilots after their fighter jets were shot down while returning from a mission against a US base in Qatar in March. The commander said a fourth pilot was killed.
The body of the slain Iranian pilot, Majid Kazemi, was returned to Iran and buried in Shiraz in late July.
The developments followed the escalation that began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, military commanders and civilians. Iran subsequently launched waves of missile and drone attacks against Israel and US bases and assets across the region.
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