Overview
- Iranian military officials on Aug. 15–16 publicly named three pilots — Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian and Omran Behraveshian — and said they were captured alive after two Su-24s were shot down in March.
- Qatar has categorically denied holding any surviving aircrew, said its search-and-rescue teams recovered the remains of one pilot, and said it invited an Iranian team in April to review the operation.
- There is no independent confirmation of custody; Tehran’s claim is reported by semi-official outlets and a senior Iranian general while Doha’s denial comes from its foreign ministry spokesman and official statements.
- Iran has appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross under the Geneva Conventions for access to the pilots and says Iranian experts have been blocked from an on-site probe, while Qatar says it offered technical briefings.
- The dispute deepens mistrust between Tehran and Doha, risks complicating Qatar’s mediation efforts over the wider US‑Iran/Israel conflict, and prolongs anguish for families who say the airmen have had no confirmed contact.