Iranian Su-24 pilots performed mission against US base with ‘exceptional courage’: Top commander

The deputy coordinator of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has provided new details about the daring retaliatory March 2 operation against a major US military base in the region, saying pilots of Su-24 fighters carried out the mission with “exceptional courage and determination”.

Brigadier General Masoud Jafari made the remarks during Friday prayers in the city of Shiraz, two days after the body of Brigadier General Majid Kazemi, one of the four heroic pilots who participated in the operation against the US-operated al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, returned home.

He said that from an operational standpoint, the mission was regarded as one of the most challenging due to the sophistication of the air defense systems protecting the US base.

He added that for the entire duration of the flight, the bombers maintained an altitude below 30 meters since any deviation would have significantly increased the risk of detection,

Keeping a fighter jet concealed over water is also extremely difficult, because enemy radar systems are capable of detecting them from very long distances, he noted.

“Fully aware of these challenges, the four courageous pilots from Martyr Doran Air Base accepted the mission, relying on their exceptional skills, extensive experience in various military exercises, and their roles as instructor pilots. With exceptional courage and determination, they carried out the operation, struck the designated base, and successfully completed the mission assigned by the Air Force,” Jafari said.

“Despite the successful completion of the mission, the threat remained during the return phase due to the deployment of a very extensive air defense network. Ultimately, enemy military patrol aircraft managed to target the aircraft involved in the mission.”

The commander added that apart from the return of the remains of Martyr Kazemi, Qatar has provided no definitive information regarding the fate of the three other Iranian pilots who participated in the mission.

‘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.

“Despite the technological gap between Iran’s equipment and that of the adversary, the Iranian armed forces—including the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)— rely on God and, without hesitation, use all of their capabilities to confront the enemy. Whenever an operation or flight is required, they will carry out their mission, and its outcome—whether martyrdom or victory—is considered an honor and a triumph for the Iranian nation,” he asserted.

The body of Martyr Kazemi is set to be laid to rest in Shiraz later on Friday. 

The United States and the Israeli regime waged their first criminal military assault against Iran, which lasted 12 days, in June 2025. Their second aggression began on February 28, 2026, and came to a temporary halt in early April after 40 days.

In both wars, Iran's brave resistance and successful retaliatory operations forced the enemies to accept a ceasefire.

This month, however, the US conducted waves of deadly air raids on Iran in violation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Islamic Republic, signed on June 17, to end the war.

In response, Iranian armed forces launched devastating attacks against strategic American targets across West Asia, dealing heavy blows to the terrorist US military.

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