Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Iran Urges Qatar to Move Detained Pilots to Hospital
Iran says some of its pilots are being kept at a place on the water in Qatar.
An Iranian official says the pilots’ health is getting worse.
He wants them moved to a hospital on land.
He also asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to send an air ambulance.
Qatar says it is not holding the Iranian pilots.
Qatar says the aviators entered its airspace and did not answer attempts to contact them.
Qatar says it searched for three missing aviators.
Qatar also says it helped return one pilot’s remains to Iran.
Iran now welcomes a Qatari invitation for Iranian experts to examine the search operation.
Iranian official Mohammad Baqerzadeh says detained pilots are in deteriorating health at a waterborne site in Qatar.
Baqerzadeh urged Qatar to move the pilots to a hospital on dry land and requested an air ambulance from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Qatar denies holding Iranian pilots, saying they violated Qatari airspace and did not respond to contact attempts.
Qatar says rescue teams searched for three missing aviators and coordinated the handover of one pilot’s remains to Iran.
Iran welcomed Qatar’s invitation for an Iranian expert team to review the search-and-rescue operation after previously accusing Doha of delaying access.
- Who
- Iranian pilots, Iranian military official Mohammad Baqerzadeh, Qatari authorities, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
- What
- Iran is seeking medical treatment and relocation for pilots it says are detained, while Qatar denies holding them and describes search-and-rescue efforts for missing aviators.
- When
- The pilots reportedly went missing or entered Qatari airspace earlier this year; Qatar said it invited an Iranian team in April, and the latest statements followed that invitation.
- Where
- The disputed holding or search location is in Qatar, with Iran saying the pilots are at a waterborne site.
- Why
- Iran says the pilots’ health is deteriorating and wants them moved to a hospital; Qatar says it conducted searches and arranged the handover of one pilot’s remains.
Iran’s account
Qatar’s account
Status of the pilots
Iran’s account
Iran says the pilots are detained at a waterborne site in Qatar and are in poor physical condition.
Qatar’s account
Qatar denies holding the Iranian pilots and says they violated Qatari airspace without responding to contact attempts.
Medical transfer
Iran’s account
Iran wants the pilots moved to a hospital on dry land and has asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to dispatch an air ambulance.
Qatar’s account
Qatar’s statements cited in the reports focus on search-and-rescue efforts and do not confirm Iran’s claim that the pilots are being held.
Investigation and cooperation
Iran’s account
Iran previously accused Qatari officials of delaying access for its expert team but now welcomes Qatar’s invitation for Iranian experts to visit.
Qatar’s account
Qatar says it invited Iran in April to review its search-and-rescue operations, but Tehran did not initially take up the offer.
- Iranian official
- Mohammad Baqerzadeh, head of Iran’s Armed Forces committee tasked with locating missing personnel.
- Iran’s claim
- The pilots are being held at a waterborne location and are in poor physical condition.
- Requested action
- Iran wants the pilots transferred to a hospital on dry land and has requested an air ambulance.
- Qatar’s position
- Qatar denies holding Iranian pilots and says they violated Qatari airspace and did not respond to contact attempts.
- Search operation
- Qatar says its rescue teams thoroughly searched for three missing aviators.
- Remains
- Qatar says it coordinated the handover of one pilot’s remains to Iran.
- Investigation
- Qatar invited an Iranian team to review the search-and-rescue operation in April, and Iran later welcomed the invitation.
