US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would face severe consequences if Tehran is found to have been involved in an alleged attempt to seize control of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel.
Trump made the comments on Thursday as investigators continued examining the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Passengers intervened, while a reserve flight crew later helped land the aircraft safely. All 182 people aboard survived.
Asked at the White House whether Iran was involved, Trump said: “I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now.”
When asked whether the US would retaliate against Iran if Tehran was found responsible, Trump responded: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”
Netanyahu Says Co-Pilot Was Radicalised
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination.”
However, Netanyahu also said it was too early to establish whether Iran had any connection to the incident. Israeli authorities are continuing to investigate the suspect’s background and possible links to Iran.
The co-pilot, an Omani national, remains under arrest as investigations involving Saudi, Emirati and Israeli authorities continue.
Flydubai has said the underlying reasons and motives for the cockpit incident remain unknown and urged against premature speculation while the investigation proceeds.
Trump Raises Prospect Of Further Iran Action
Trump’s comments came as he adopted a tougher position on the wider conflict involving Iran.
According to the report cited in the supplied copy, Trump told Time magazine that it was “possible” he could resume bombing Iran after the US midterm elections.
He also repeated his threat to “annihilate” Iran, arguing that previous military action had created peace and saying he did not believe lasting peace was possible with Iran.
The comments come amid continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider US-Israel conflict with Iran.
More US Forces Expected In Middle East
The Wall Street Journal, as cited in the report, said the United States was preparing to deploy another aircraft carrier and as many as 10,000 additional service members to the Middle East by the end of November.
The report said the USS Theodore Roosevelt was expected to join the US military presence in the region, although it was unclear whether it would replace one of the two carriers already deployed.
Investigations into the Flydubai incident remain ongoing, and there has been no publicly established evidence confirming Iranian involvement.
