Fate of three Iranian Su-24 pilots still unknown; efforts to trace them continue: Army spox

Iranian authorities are continuing efforts to determine the fate of three Air Force Su-24 pilots who went missing after carrying out an operation against the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the spokesman for the Iranian Army says.

In a televised interview, Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said the Army launched air operations against US military bases in the region two days after the US and Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28, following operational plans that had been prepared well in advance.

He said one operation was carried out by F-5 fighter jets targeting the Al Adiri base in Kuwait, while another involved Air Force Su-24 bombers striking the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

According to Akraminia, the Su-24 mission was among the most complex operations conducted by the Iranian Air Force due to the extensive deployment of enemy air defense systems across the region.

He said the operation was entrusted to four Air Force pilots, including Second Brigadier General Majid Kazemi, whose body was recently identified and returned to Iran after several months. Kazemi was laid to rest in the southern city of Shiraz.

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.

Akraminia said the aircraft flew at extremely low altitude—around 30 to 40 meters above the waters of the Persian Gulf and, in some sections, close to the ground—to avoid enemy radar detection, describing the mission as one requiring exceptional skill and courage.

He added that although the operation was successfully completed and the designated target was struck, the aircraft came under attack by enemy fighter jets during its return flight.

The spokesman noted that the operation inflicted heavy damage on the US base, destroying numerous American helicopters and rendering several others inoperable.

Addressing the fate of the three remaining pilots, Akraminia said, “Despite ongoing follow-up efforts, the Qatari side has so far stated that it has no information regarding the whereabouts of our three dear pilots.”

He called on the Qatari government and armed forces to cooperate more actively in clarifying their status in accordance with international conventions and international humanitarian law.

“At present, despite the efforts made, the fate of these three pilots has not yet been determined, but investigations are continuing,” he said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Akraminia stated that the US had failed to achieve its military, political, and economic objectives in the aggression, asserting that damage to American military infrastructure had reduced the scale of US operations in the region.

He also said Iran had used the ceasefire period to strengthen its combat readiness by repairing damaged systems, introducing new military equipment, and expanding its drone capabilities.

According to the spokesman, a new generation of Iranian drones has already been deployed operationally, with details to be announced in the coming days.

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