Iran issued a sharp response regarding a missing US pilot, claiming that he would be safer in Iranian custody than under the leadership of Donald Trump, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
In a series of posts on X, Iranian embassies in Pakistan and South Africa reacted to an emotional appeal made by the mother of one of the US F-15 pilots whose aircraft was shot down over Iran. The mother had urged people to pray for the safety of her son and the other pilot, expressing deep concern after losing contact with him following the incident.
Responding to her message, the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan stated that her son would face greater danger if approached by US rescue forces than if he were taken into Iranian custody. It added that Iran, describing itself as a “civilised” nation, would treat any captured personnel with dignity and respect in accordance with its values.
Echoing a similar stance, the Iranian Embassy in South Africa asserted that Iran has long upheld principles regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, claiming that such standards existed in its tradition even before modern humanitarian laws were established. The post also included criticism of the United States and its allies, contrasting their conduct with what Iran described as its own civilisational approach.
The exchange comes in the aftermath of two US military aircraft being downed during ongoing hostilities. While one crew member has already been rescued, at least one pilot was initially reported missing, prompting an urgent search-and-rescue operation in hostile terrain.
Meanwhile, reports of continued military activity across the region—including drone interceptions, missile alerts, and air defence engagements—highlight the widening scope of the conflict. The situation remains volatile, with both sides engaging not only in military operations but also in increasingly sharp public messaging aimed at shaping perception and morale.
