Doha, Aug. 16 -- Qatar rejected an Iranian military commander's claim that Doha has secretly detained three Iranian pilots for months, saying the allegation is misleading and comes at a sensitive moment for regional diplomacy.
Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, said Saturday that Qatari forces are not holding any surviving Iranian aircrew. He said Doha was surprised by the accusation as diplomatic efforts continue to ease tensions between Iran, the US and Gulf states.
"We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots," Al-Ansari said in a statement.
The dispute follows a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross from Seyed Mohammad Bagherzadeh, who heads Iran's a...