Qatar: Iran’s claim that Doha is holding missing pilots is a ‘media ploy’

Qatar says Iran’s claim it is holding missing aircrew is untrue and a “media ploy”, with Tehran yet to verify it.

Doha said it invited Tehran to send a technical team to review its search operation but received no response, calling Iran's accusations "false" and "illogical" and suggesting they were aimed at a domestic audience. Qatar's foreign ministry also said US-Iran talks were "far" from resuming.

Tehran has said the Iranians went missing while carrying out an operation against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Iran has accused Qatar of holding three of its pilots for half a year in violation of international law, heightening tensions between the two nations.

Dr. Ahmed Alkhuzaie told the 'Post' that Iran’s decision to drag a “neutral Gulf state,” which has largely acted as an ally for Tehran, into its war with the United States was a clear miscalculation.

Mohammad Bagherzadeh said that a team of experts from the Iranian Air Force has been waiting for several months to travel to Qatar to conduct a probe.

Iran Says Pilots Missing After a Brazen Bombing Run Are Prisoners in Qatar  WSJ

Iran has accused Qatar of obstructing efforts to investigate the fates of the three pilots Tehran says were captured during the war.

Tehran said the three pilots "were captured alive" by Qatari forces after their fighter jets were shot down in the early days of the US-Israel war with Iran. Qatar has denied Iran's claims.

Tehran says Doha is holding three pilots whose aircraft went down early in the Middle East war.

Iran says Qatar is holding three of its pilots who were reportedly captured when their jets were downed early in the war, but Qatar denies the allegations

Iran claims Qatar is holding pilots, Israeli strikes kill 11 in Lebanon, and other Middle East news  AP News

Iran had previously said the other pilots were missing but news of their alleged capture was not publicized at the time.

Here’s a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East.