President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that if Iran is connected to the copilot who attempted to crash an Israel-bound flight, the country would face a severe response for endangering the lives of over 180 individuals on board. This warning came as investigators were looking into the incident involving the copilot stabbing the flight's captain, which caused the FlyDubai plane to drop sharply before passengers intervened and landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump was asked if he had received any updates regarding potential ties between the copilot and Iran. He responded, 'We’re working on it right now,' and suggested that preliminary information indicated a possible connection. He added, 'Oh they’ll be hit, very hard, don’t worry,' when questioned about potential U.S. retaliation against Iran.
The incident occurred as diplomatic efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts in the region appeared to be stalled. Iranian officials reported receiving a U.S. response to their latest proposal for peace, which Trump had previously rejected. In a Time magazine interview, Trump stated he would not accept any proposals from Iran that he would not have approved a year ago, and he hinted at the possibility of resuming military action after the upcoming U.S. elections.
The U.S. military has deployed approximately 9,000 troops aboard ships to the Middle East, with three aircraft carriers expected to be in the region by late October. Despite Trump's rejection of Iranian proposals, negotiations between mediators from the U.S. and Iran are ongoing.
Passengers aboard the flight, which was carrying 182 individuals, primarily Israelis, from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, described the harrowing experience of the captain, who managed to open the cockpit door after being stabbed. Asaf Rajuan, a passenger who helped subdue the copilot, recounted the instinct to survive amid the chaos.
The copilot, an Omani citizen, is currently in custody, and Saudi authorities are collaborating with various countries, including Israel, to investigate the motive behind the attack. The UAE government has initiated its own investigation, focusing on whether the incident had any terrorist connections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the attacker may have undergone Islamist indoctrination but did not provide specific details.
The copilot's identity has not been publicly disclosed, and video footage captured during the incident shows him restrained. Capt. Smit Machchhar, recognized for his bravery, is recovering in Abu Dhabi. Israeli intelligence officials are assisting in the investigation, and Israel has requested the copilot's extradition for questioning.
As the investigation continues, Netanyahu noted that it was too early to determine any Iranian involvement. He also mentioned discussions with the UAE president regarding the interrogation of the suspect. Trump indicated that he had a detailed conversation with Netanyahu about the incident, describing the copilot as potentially a terrorist or someone with mental health issues.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that most passengers were Israeli, with some from India and the UAE, and the U.S. State Department reported that four passengers were American citizens. Distress signals were sent from the cockpit during the flight, indicating a possible hijacking. FlyDubai confirmed that the crew managed to secure the aircraft and land it safely.
A regional official stated that the crew members involved were pilots in training, and the aircraft's descent was rapid, dropping from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute before landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.