Doha, Aug. 16 -- Qatar on Saturday (local time) categorically denied reports claiming that Iranian pilots were detained, stating that the allegations were misleading and came at a sensitive time amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari, made the remarks in an X post, stating that contact had been established with the pilots after they allegedly breached Qatari airspace and that their targeting trajectory was confirmed.

"We categorically deny the claims that have been circulated regarding the detention of Iranian pilots, and we are surprised by these misleading statements at this specific timing," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson noted that Q...