Iran holds funeral for pilot killed during March mission

Funeral ceremonies have begun in Iran for air force pilot Majid Kazemi, who was killed during a combat mission in March. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei paid tribute to the second brigadier general after authorities recovered and identified his remains. Kazemi was one of four crew members aboard two Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Su-24 bombers taking part in an attack on 2 March 2026. Iranian military officials said air defence systems struck the aircraft while they were flying over the Gulf. Baghaei said search operations and identification efforts remained under way for the other three crew members. He announced the funeral processions in a statement on X as mourners gathered to honour Kazemi.