Iran Army demands Qatar clarify fate of missing pilots who struck Al-Udeid air base

The Iranian Army has demanded that Qatar assume greater responsibility in determining the fate of three missing Iranian aviators whose bomber was shot down over the Persian Gulf after successfully striking the US Al Udeid Air Base.

"We are continuously following up on the fate of our three dear pilots. There has been some cooperation from the country and the army of Qatar, but our expectation is far greater," Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia told Al-Alam News Network in an interview on Tuesday.  

The three missing pilots were part of the elite Su-24MK bomber squadrons that penetrated advanced US air defense networks to strike American military infrastructure in the region during the opening days of the US-Israeli war of aggression in March 2026.

While the martyrdom of one of the aviators, Brigadier General Majid Kazemi, was recently confirmed through DNA testing, the fate of his three comrades remains unknown.

The missing pilots and Martyr Kazemi were part of a legendary aerial campaign that stunned global military analysts and shattered the illusion of American air superiority in the Persian Gulf.

This daring operation was part of a coordinated air campaign that also saw an indigenous Iranian HESA Kowsar fighter jet successfully strike Camp Buehring in Kuwait, the first time a fixed-wing aircraft had bombed a major US military base since the Korean War.

Because the engagements occurred in the vicinity of US bases hosted by Qatar, Tehran has been pushing Doha for answers.

Eagle’s final flight: How Martyr Kazemi and other Su-24 pilots struck at the heart of US air power

Iran’s Su-24 pilots, including Martyr Majid Kazemi, struck the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during a retaliatory operation in early March, exploiting gaps in missile defenses to demonstrate that superior skill and tactical innovation can penetrate even the world’s most heavily fortified military installations.

General Akraminia noted that Qatari officials repeatedly claim ignorance regarding the pilots' whereabouts.

"The Qatari army and government have not provided us with new information and constantly announce that they have no knowledge of the pilots' fate. However, we expect them to accept higher responsibility and provide the necessary grounds to clarify the condition of these three pilots as quickly as possible."

Bounty for women who capture US invaders

Shifting to the domestic front, General Akraminia detailed the immense public backing for a recent directive issued by Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami, which established a financial reward for neutralizing US invaders.

The spokesman explained that the initiative was born from the patriotism of Iranian citizens who, though unable to physically join the battlefield, wanted to contribute to the fight against the US military.

"A group of benefactors announced that they could help financially and put their resources at our disposal," he noted.

Under the newly formalized plan, any Iranian citizen who kills an invading US soldier and hands over the body, or captures the soldier alive, will receive a reward of 5 billion Tomans (roughly 28,800 dollars).

‘True heroes’: Iran’s Army chief hails martyred pilot who struck US bases

Iran’s Army chief has issued a tribute to Brigadier General Majid Kazemi, a brave Su-24 fighter pilot who was martyred alongside three of his valiant crewmates during a bold operation against US military bases in the region.

In a powerful nod to the vital role of Iranian women in the nation's defense, Akraminia announced that if the citizen who captures or eliminates the US soldier is a woman, the reward is doubled to 10 billion Tomans.

Furthermore, the Army spokesman extended this bounty beyond Iran's borders.

"I believe that if people from regional countries also manage to take down a US soldier or take them captive, we can present this reward to them as well," he declared, signaling a broader regional resistance against the US military footprint in West Asia.

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