Qatar on Saturday denied Iranian claims that its forces were holding three Iranian military pilots captured after their fighter jets were downed during a March operation, saying the allegations were misleading and came at a sensitive time amid efforts to ease regional tensions.
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Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari said authorities had attempted to contact the pilots after they allegedly violated Qatari airspace but received no response.
Qatar then acted under its rules of engagement to defend its territory, he said.
“We categorically deny the claims that have been circulated regarding the detention of Iranian pilots, and we are surprised by these misleading statements at this specific timing,” Al-Ansari said in a post on X.
Qatar says it found remains of one pilot
Al-Ansari said Qatari search and rescue teams subsequently searched for the pilots and later coordinated with Iran to hand over the remains of one pilot who was found.
“Qatari search and rescue teams, which possess global efficiency and expertise, fulfilled their duty to the fullest in searching for the pilots' remains,” he said.
