Iran demands Qatar explain fate of missing fighter pilots

Iran’s Army has called on Qatar to provide a clear and documented explanation regarding the fate of three Iranian pilots who went missing after Iranian fighter jets were reportedly shot down during what Tehran refers to as the “Ramadan war.”

Iranian Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia made the remarks in an interview with Mehr News Agency, recounting the circumstances surrounding the pilots’ disappearance.

"The history of this issue goes back to March 2, two days after the US military invasion of our country. On March 12, two Sukhoi jets from the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force carried out a very brave operation against the US base in Qatar. After the targets were hit, the planes were hit by enemy air patrol planes on their way back and were shot down," Akraminia said.

He said that Iranian authorities later received the body of one of the pilots killed in the incident.

"After some follow-ups, the body of one of the pilots who had been martyred was handed over. This martyr was Martyr Majid Kazemi, whose body was buried and buried in Shiraz."

"However, since each of these planes had two pilots, we remained unaware of the fate of the other three pilots," Akraminia said.

He added that Iranian authorities had pursued the matter through several channels, including the Foreign Ministry, the presidential institution, the Army Headquarters, as well as direct contacts with the Qatari military and government.

"The necessary contacts have been made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential Institution, the Army Headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also directly through the Qatari Army and the Qatari government."

"Contacts have been made and follow-ups have been made, but to date the Qatari side has responded by stating that it is unaware of the fate of these pilots.

We really want the Qatari side to pay more attention to this issue and provide a clear and documented response so that we can accept the documentation and learn about the fate of these dear pilots."

Responding to a recent statement by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry that it had no information about the pilots, Akraminia called on Doha to intensify its efforts.

"As you mentioned, yesterday the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is unaware of the fate of the pilots. We say that if they are truly unaware, they should act more responsibly than they are currently acting and make more efforts to clarify the situation of these dear pilots."

By Vafa Guliyeva