Kamal Ghorui
Iran’s diplomatic missions issued sharp responses to a US woman who said her fighter pilot son was missing, even as American forces continued searching for a downed airman in Iranian territory following recent aircraft losses.In a post on X, the woman appealed for prayers, writing, “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.”
Responding to her message, 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! As Muslim and civilised Iranians, we know how to treat captives in custody with dignity and respect.”The Iranian embassy in South Africa echoed the stance, stating, “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.”“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.”The remarks came as the US military searched for at least one missing service member after Iran shot down two American aircraft in separate incidents on Friday. One crew member has been rescued, while the status of another remains unknown.Iran has claimed it also struck additional US assets, including helicopters, and state media reported that an A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf after an encounter with Iranian forces, though US officials said it was unclear whether it was shot down or crashed.Footage circulating online showed US drones, aircraft and helicopters scanning mountainous terrain where Iranian outlets said a pilot had ejected. Iranian state-linked media and broadcasters have also urged civilians to report or hand over any “enemy pilot,” with reports of a reward being offered.The incidents mark a major escalation in the ongoing conflict that began on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran. It is the first confirmed instance of US aircraft being downed during the war.Despite earlier claims by Washington that Iran’s air defences had been largely degraded, recent losses suggest continued operational risks. Iran has also claimed to have downed piloted aircraft multiple times during the conflict.The broader war has expanded across the region, with Iran launching strikes that triggered air-raid sirens in Bahrain, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE reported intercepting drones. Israel has also faced incoming missile fire.The conflict has killed more than 1,900 people so far, with casualties reported across multiple countries, including Gulf states, Israel and among US service members.Even as fighting intensifies, diplomatic efforts are underway. Mediators from Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt are attempting to bring both sides to the negotiating table, with discussions reportedly focused on halting hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign minister has indicated willingness to engage in talks, saying the country has “never refused to go to Islamabad.”US President Donald Trump, however, has issued fresh warnings, saying there would be “48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them” if Iran does not meet demands related to the strategic waterway.The situation remains fluid, with military operations ongoing and the search for the missing pilot continuing in rugged terrain in southwestern Iran.
