Iran accuses Qatar of holding pilots as West Asia tensions spike

Iran has accused Qatar of holding three of its pilots missing since March, a claim Doha denies. Iran's Armed Forces General Staff said Qatari forces captured the pilots after their jets were downed, and that they have been denied contact with families or Iranian officials. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the pilots violated Qatari airspace and that search teams found the remains of one pilot, adding that Iran has not responded to an invitation to review the details.

Separately, the UAE accused Iran of attacking an ADNOC tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, the third such attack in a week. Iran denied responsibility. In southern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 11 people, including children, in what Lebanon said was one of the deadliest days since the June truce. Israel said it killed a Hezbollah commander who used family as human shields. In Yemen, Houthi missile attacks on the port of Mokha killed seven people and halted operations.