Qatar ‘categorically denies’ detaining downed Iranian pilots

<p> DUBAI: Qatar categorically denied on Saturday it was detaining any Iranian pilots after an Iranian general said Doha should release three aviators shot down early in the Iran war.<br /> “We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots & are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time, amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts & initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on X.<br /> Qatar rescuers “carried out their duties to the fullest” searching for the pilots, he added.<br /> It had “communicated with the Iranian side to coordinate the handover of the remains of one of the pilots who was found,” said Al-Ansari.<br /> “Qatar also issued an invitation for an Iranian team to visit Qatar to be briefed on the details of the search & rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond to the invitation,” he added.<br /> General Mohammad Bagherzadeh of the Iranian armed forces claimed earlier that three Iranian pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces after their Su-24 fighter jets crashed during the war, Fars news agency reported.</p> <p> <div class=media_embed> <blockquote class=twitter-tweet height=472px width=600px> <p dir=ltr lang=en> We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots & are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time, amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts & initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.<br /> <br /> We reaffirm that…</p> — د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) <a href=https://x.com/majedalansari/status/2088698161812377646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>August 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async= charset=utf-8 height=472px src=https://platform.x.com/widgets.js width=600px></script> </div> </p>