Qatar Denies Hostage Allegations Over Three Iranian Fighter Jet Pilots: Misleading!

Qatar has denied accusations that it is holding three Iranian fighter jet pilots hostage. Qatar said it was surprised and described the allegations as misleading.

“We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots, and are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and initiatives to de-escalate tensions in the region,” said Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari, as reported by AFP news agency on Sunday (16/8/2026).

Iranian authorities had previously said three of their fighter jet pilots were captured by Qatar during the Middle East war. The Iranian government urged Qatar to release the three immediately.

“Three Iranian pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces after their Su-24 fighter jet crashed during the war,” said General Mohammad Bagherzadeh of the Iranian armed forces, as reported by AFP on Saturday (15/8).

Bagherzadeh said the three pilots had been detained for six months. He said the three pilots had not yet been allowed to meet or contact their families.

“Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian have been detained by Qatari forces for six months,” he said in a letter addressed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).