Tehran: Qatar Detains Three Iranian Pilots After Jets Shot Down

Iranian military sources have announced that the State of Qatar has been detaining three Iranian pilots since last March, following the downing of their fighter jets. The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, in a message published by the semi-official Fars News Agency, requested the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene and assist in securing the release of these pilots. Information indicates that the pilots were apprehended after their aircraft sustained damage during a military mission conducted against what Tehran described as a "hostile military base" within Qatari territory. As of yet, no official comment has been issued by the Qatari side regarding these Iranian statements.