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Iran told the mother of a downed US F-15 pilot her sons face more danger under President Trump than in Iranian custody and assured her to treat his son with respect and dignity if located.
US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. (Photo: Reuters)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 4, 2026 15:09 IST
Iran's embassies in Pakistan and South Africa responded sharply to the mother of one of two US F-15 pilots whose aircraft were downed over Iran, warning that her sons faced more danger under President Donald Trump than in Iranian custody.
In posts on X, the Iranian embassies highlighted Iran's treatment of captives.
"Be sure your sons are more in danger with DJ Trump than in custody in Iran. Pray he's kept captive by Iran than found by US rescue teams! As Muslim and civilised Iranians, we know how to treat captives in custody with dignity and respect," the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan wrote.
The embassy in South Africa added: "In Iran, long before so-called humanitarian laws were written, the rights of POWs (prisoners of war) were already defined. We do not treat POWs like your savage allies, the Zionists. We have an Iranian civilization. We do not live like in the Stone Age, like America".
The response from Iran came after a social media post by the pilot’s mother, who appealed for prayers for the missing US F-15 fighter jet pilots who were shot down during a combat operation a day before.
"Please keep the two F-15 pilots who were shot down in your prayers tonight. One of my sons is a fighter pilot, and I still haven't heard any news from him or his unit. My heart is heavy with worry. Please pray for all the pilots and their families," she wrote.
Iran downed two US military aircraft in separate incidents on Friday. One crew member was rescued, while at least one remained missing, marking a major escalation in the Middle East conflict nearly five weeks in.
Separately, Iranian state media reported that a US A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf after contact with Iranian defence forces, though a US official said it was unclear whether the plane was shot down or crashed.
Social media footage showed American drones, aircraft, and helicopters scanning the mountainous region where Iranian state-affiliated TV said at least one pilot had bailed out of the fighter jet.
The incidents coincided with Iran firing on targets across the Middle East, raising tensions with Israel and Gulf Arab allies. Sirens were reported in Bahrain. Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they destroyed several Iranian drones, and Israel reported incoming missiles.
- Ends
Published By:
Sahil Sinha
Published On:
Apr 4, 2026 15:09 IST
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