Qatar rejects claim it detained Iranian pilots, says one body recovered

DOHA, Qatar — Qatar's Foreign Ministry on Saturday firmly denied allegations that it is holding two Iranian pilots, calling the claims "misleading" while diplomatic efforts continue to ease regional tensions. Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on X that the pilots were contacted after their aircraft violated Qatari airspace under engagement protocols, and that required measures were taken in line with international law when no response was received. Qatar said its search-and-rescue teams had recovered the body of one pilot and were coordinating with the Iranian side to hand it over in accordance with international humanitarian law. The ministry added that Qatar invited Iran in April to send a delegation to review the search-and-rescue process on the ground, but said Iran has not responded to the invitation. The denial comes after Iranian military commander Saeed Mohammad Bakirzadeh told the International Committee of the Red Cross in a letter that three Iranian pilots sent on a mission to target Qatar had been held in the Gulf state for months. Iran's Army said on July 29 that DNA tests confirmed the death of Sukhoi-24 pilot Brigadier General Majid Kazemi, with efforts continuing to determine the fate of the other aircrew from the two aircraft.