Tehran Accuses Qatar of Obstructing Pilot Fate Inquiry; Doha Denies Detention Claims.

Tehran has accused Doha of obstructing an investigation into the fate of Iranian pilots it claims are detained, an allegation Qatar vehemently denies. On Sunday, Brigadier General Mohammad Baqerzadeh, head of the Missing Persons Committee of Iran's Armed Forces, stated that Qatari authorities hindered efforts to investigate Iranian pilots, responding to a prior denial from Doha. Baqerzadeh, whose committee reported he wrote to the ICRC President seeking follow-up on the pilots Tehran considers prisoners, rejected Qatari statements. He urged Doha to allow an Iranian Air Force expert team entry for a field investigation. He clarified this team has awaited entry approval for months, accusing Qatari officials of "stalling and obstructing" fact-finding, which, he stated, prevented the pilots' return. Baqerzadeh also urged the ICRC to urgently follow up, noting that Kuwait, per his claim, took similar action to avoid disclosing the fate of four Iranians Tehran says were captured there. Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari stated Saturday his country categorically denies circulating claims of Iranian pilot detention, expressing surprise at these "misleading" statements. He added they coincide with diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.