Iran’s embassies in Pakistan and South Africa issued statements after a woman said one of her sons was among missing U.S. fighter pilots, telling her that her sons would be “more in danger” under U.S. President Donald Trump than in Iranian custody.
The response followed an emotional post by the woman on X, in which she said she had not heard from her son or his unit after reports that two U.S. pilots were shot down, adding that her “heart is heavy with worry.”
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. 🙏— N B (@lovelynancie) April 3, 2026
The exchange comes as the conflict sees confirmed aircraft losses, ongoing search operations for missing personnel, and expanding strikes across the region.
Replying publicly, Iran’s embassy in Pakistan said, “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,” adding that captives would be treated “with dignity and respect.”
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. https://t.co/On6aVF7l6C pic.twitter.com/9mRsq08MUt
— Embassy of IR Iran Pakistan (@IraninIslamabad) April 4, 2026
Iran’s embassy in South Africa echoed the message, referring to Iran’s historical treatment of prisoners of war and stating that it does not treat detainees like its adversaries.
In Iran, long before what so-called useless humanitarian laws were written, the rights of POWs had already been 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. https://t.co/KZaWfEP7Xj— Iran Embassy SA (@IraninSA) April 4, 2026
Iran has said it downed two U.S. military aircraft in separate incidents. One crew member was rescued, while at least one remains missing.
Iranian state media also reported that a U.S. A-10 aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf after contact with Iranian defense forces, though a U.S. official said it was unclear whether it was shot down or crashed.
Search operations continued for missing personnel, with footage circulating online showing U.S. drones, aircraft and helicopters scanning mountainous terrain where a pilot was believed to have ejected.
The reported aircraft losses come amid widening hostilities, with Iran launching strikes across the Middle East that triggered air raid sirens in Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they intercepted multiple Iranian drones, while Israel reported incoming missiles.
The war, which began on February 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes inside Iran, has since seen repeated claims by Tehran of shooting down piloted aircraft.
The United States has reported multiple aircraft losses during operations, including a tanker crash in Iraq and several fighter jet incidents.
Casualties have continued to rise, with more than 1,900 people reported killed in the conflict. About two dozen deaths have been reported in Gulf states following Iranian retaliation, while 19 deaths were reported in Israel and 13 U.S. service members have been killed.
