Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, has paid tribute to an Iranian air force pilot killed during a mission in March, as funeral services began in Iran, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement posted on X, Baqaei says funeral processions are under way for Second Brigadier-General Pilot Majid Kazemi, whose remains were recently recovered and identified.

Kazemi was among four crew members on board two Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Su-24 bombers involved in an attack on a US base on March 2, 2026. Iranian military officials said the aircraft were hit by air defence systems over the Gulf.

Baghaei noted that authorities are still searching for, or seeking to identify, the three remaining crew members.