WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that 11 fighter jets were shot down during the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, claiming that the conflict “could have been a nuclear war” before a ceasefire was reached.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had told him that the ceasefire he helped broker “saved 30 to 50 million lives”.
Trump:
11 planes were shot down during the India-Pakistan war.pic.twitter.com/IEwM7BVs3o
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 26, 2026
Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for the ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, saying US intervention played a decisive role in halting hostilities.
Trump said the conflict, which erupted in early May 2025, risked spiralling into a wider war before Washington stepped in.
“They shot down 11 jets,” he said. He added that US engagement helped avert a potentially nuclear war.
The US president also signalled a shift in diplomatic engagement with Iran, saying future discussions would be conducted remotely.
“They cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise, there’s no reason to meet,” he said, adding that Washington would remain involved but “do it by telephone”.
Trump said the cancellation of a planned trip by US representatives to Pakistan did not indicate renewed tensions with Iran.
“No, it doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet,” he told Fox News.
Trump said he has “great respect for Pakistan” which is mediating the talks between the US and Iran and also hosted the first round of talks in Islamabad.
JUST IN: President Trump lays down a hard line on Iran talks, saying future discussions will happen by phone — not long-distance travel.
“They cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise there’s no reason to meet.” | @JacquiHeinrich @SundayBriefFNC pic.twitter.com/0ub40kNac8
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 26, 2026
Trump’s remarks about the Pakistan-India conflict refer to a brief but intense military standoff between Pakistan and India in May 2025.
Pakistan said it shot down six Indian fighter jets, including Rafale aircraft, during air-to-air combat.
India later acknowledged losses, with its Chief of Defence Staff confirming unspecified air losses on May 7.
In June, Captain Shiv Kumar, India’s defence attaché, also said at a seminar in Indonesia that the Indian Air Force had “lost some aircraft” during the initial phase of the conflict.
India’s top general said later that the military adjusted its tactics after suffering heavy losses on the first day of clashes with Pakistan.
Dispute over ceasefire mediation
Trump has consistently maintained that he brokered the May 10 ceasefire after what he described as “a long night” of talks with both sides.
India has contradicted that assertion, saying the truce was reached through direct communication between the two militaries’ Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs).
Pakistan, however, has supported Trump’s version, saying US diplomatic efforts helped secure the ceasefire.
When asked about the differing accounts, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to take a definitive position. “So many comments speak for themselves,” she said, adding that “everyone will have an opinion”.
The May 2025 crisis was triggered by an April attack in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which sharply escalated tensions between the two countries.
Pakistan called for a neutral and transparent international investigation into the incident, while India continued with its aggressive posture.
On the night of May 6–7, India launched strikes targeting civilian population in Pakistan.
Islamabad responded with retaliatory action, causing significant military losses on the Indian side.
