Tehran says three Iranian pilots survived after two Su-24 bombers were shot down following an attack on a US base in Qatar and are being held by Qatari forces.
TEHRAN, IRAN — WEB DESK: Iran has publicly claimed for the first time that three Iranian Air Force pilots who went missing after two Iranian Su-24 aircraft were downed over Qatar in March are alive and being held by Qatari forces.
According to an Iranian news agency, the claim was made by Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh, commander of a committee within Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff responsible for tracing missing personnel.
Iran has reportedly asked the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to investigate the condition of the three pilots and assist in securing their release.
Iran asks Red Cross to intervene
Bagherzadeh reportedly made the request in a letter addressed to ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, expressing concern over the whereabouts and condition of the missing Iranian aircrew.
According to the Iranian account, Tehran believes the three pilots — Javad Salehi, Abdolhamid Dashtian and Imran Bahroishian — survived the destruction of the two aircraft and were subsequently captured by Qatari forces.
Iran is seeking access to the pilots and information about their health and current status.
Two Su-24 aircraft reportedly attacked US base
According to the Iranian military account, two Iranian Su-24 fighter-bombers departed from Shahid Doran Air Base in Shiraz on March 2, 2026, as part of an operation targeting a US military installation in Qatar.
Iran says the aircraft successfully completed their mission against Al Udeid Air Base, a major US military facility in Qatar.
Tehran further claims that the aircraft were targeted by an opposing air-defence system while returning from the mission, forcing their crews to eject.
One pilot reportedly killed
Iranian officials said four pilots were aboard the two aircraft.
According to Bagherzadeh’s account, Majid Kazemi was killed, while his remains were later recovered and transferred to Iran for burial.
The other three pilots are now alleged by Iran to have been captured alive by Qatari forces.
The claims have not been independently verified.
Iran accuses Qatar of withholding information
The Iranian military official reportedly accused Qatar of failing to provide information about the three pilots for approximately six months.
He claimed that Iranian officials had not been allowed to meet or interview the pilots or facilitate contact between them and their families.
Iran has also alleged that the treatment of the pilots could raise questions under international law and the Geneva Conventions, calling for an investigation into their status.
These allegations remain Tehran’s position and have not been independently established.
Qatar previously denied having information
The latest Iranian claim comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the three aircrew members.
Iranian military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia reportedly said on August 1 that Iranian authorities were continuing to pursue the matter.
Qatari authorities, meanwhile, have previously maintained that they had no information concerning the missing Iranian air personnel.
The contrasting positions have left the status of the three pilots unresolved.
Qatar previously said two Iranian aircraft were shot down
Qatar’s Defence Ministry said in a statement on March 2 that its air force had shot down two Iranian Su-24 aircraft approaching from Iran.
Iran, however, has maintained that the aircraft successfully carried out their mission before being targeted during their return flight.
