Iran has raised fresh concerns about the fate of three military pilots missing since an operation in March.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran currently presumes the pilots are being held captive. However, their exact whereabouts and circumstances remain unclear.
Baghaei said Iran will continue pursuing the matter through legal and international channels. The statement comes as diplomatic efforts continue over the missing pilots.
Iran Presumes Missing Pilots Are Being Held Captive
Speaking during a weekly press briefing, Baghaei outlined Iran’s position on the missing military personnel.
“Until the circumstances are clarified, we presume that the three missing pilots are being held captive, and we will use all available legal and international channels,” Baghaei said.
His remarks indicate that Tehran has not confirmed the pilots’ location. Nevertheless, Iran believes they could be in captivity in Qatar.
The government now plans to pursue their case through diplomatic, legal and international mechanisms.
Four Pilots Took Part in March Operation
According to Baghaei, four Iranian pilots participated in an operation on March 2.
One pilot’s body was later returned to Iran. However, the other three pilots remained missing after the operation.
Their disappearance has since become the focus of diplomatic efforts. Iran has continued seeking information about what happened to them.
Diplomatic Efforts Underway
Baghaei said diplomatic efforts began shortly after the pilots disappeared.
Those efforts included correspondence with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Iran also held consultations through diplomatic channels and embassies.
However, these efforts have so far failed to clarify the pilots’ circumstances.
Iran says it will continue using available international mechanisms. At the same time, Tehran remains engaged diplomatically with Qatar over the issue.
Fate of Three Pilots Remains Unclear
The latest statement does not confirm that Qatar is holding the missing pilots. Instead, Iran has described captivity as its current presumption while their circumstances remain unresolved. Therefore, the pilots’ whereabouts remain uncertain.
The case is now being pursued through both diplomatic engagement and international channels. Meanwhile, Iran continues seeking information about the three missing personnel.
Their fate could become clearer if further information emerges through diplomatic contacts or international mechanisms.
