Iran Says Qatar Captured Three Iranian Pilots After Su-24 Jets Crashed During War

TEHRAN, Aug 15: Iranian authorities said Saturday that three pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces after two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets crashed during attacks in March amid the war with the United States and Israel.

Iran’s state broadcaster, citing Mohammad Bagherzadeh, head of the Missing Persons Search Committee of the Armed Forces General Staff, reported that the three pilots were among four crew members aboard the two aircraft.

“Three Iranian pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces after the Su-24 fighter jets crashed during the March attacks,” Bagherzadeh said.

The claim has not been independently verified, and Qatar has not immediately commented on the reported captures.

The development comes after Iranian military officials previously said three crew members remained missing following the March 2 operation targeting the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Iran’s Army said in late July that DNA testing had confirmed the death of Brig. Gen. Majid Kazemi, one of the pilots involved, while efforts to determine the fate of the three remaining crew members were continuing.

The two Iranian Su-24s were reportedly shot down by Qatari air defenses after approaching Qatari airspace during the conflict. The incident was part of a wider escalation that saw Iranian attacks against US military facilities across the Gulf regio