Trump vows to hit Iran ‘very hard’ if linked to flydubai pilot stabbing attack

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a severe response if it is determined to have been involved in an alleged attack by a co-pilot on a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

The incident occurred a day earlier when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, triggering a struggle inside the cockpit as the aircraft suddenly lost altitude. Passengers intervened, helping regain control of the plane before it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The flight was carrying mostly Israeli passengers, who were later flown back to Israel on a replacement aircraft and received a hero’s welcome.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump was asked whether Iran was involved in the incident.

“I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes but we’re working on it right now,” Trump said.

Asked whether Washington would retaliate if Iran were found responsible, Trump responded: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”

Trump’s remarks came as the United Arab Emirates launched an investigation into whether the incident had a terrorist motive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said the suspect had undergone what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination.”

US military presence grows in region

Trump’s warning came alongside reports of increased US military deployments in the Middle East.

Axios reported that the United States had recently sent additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help protect key energy infrastructure against potential Iranian retaliation.

The report also said the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group were moving toward the Middle East, potentially joining two other US carrier strike groups already operating in the region.

Meanwhile, UAE and Saudi Arabian authorities were investigating what happened aboard the aircraft.

Saudi Arabia said the co-pilot was handed over to the UAE on Thursday and accompanied by an “Emirati security team.” According to the initial Saudi investigation, he had attacked the aircraft’s captain.

The alleged assault led to a fight over control of the aircraft before the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers were subsequently transported to Israel on another flight.

Netanyahu cites alleged “radical indoctrination”

Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” although he provided no further details.

“We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,” Netanyahu told Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”

He also said the suspect had called out to the crew, “Kill me, kill me,” and described him as apparently suicidal.

The comments followed a statement from the UAE’s chief prosecutor that investigators would examine whether the incident involved “terrorist activity or intent.”

Netanyahu said the UAE would lead the investigation, with Israel taking part in the process.

He identified the co-pilot as an Omani national and said Israel would investigate how he had been authorised to operate flights to the country.

“We have constraints that say that you can’t have pilots from countries that don’t have diplomatic relations with Israel. Obviously he was able to go through that,” Netanyahu said.

Captain and passengers credited with preventing crash

Netanyahu had earlier praised Indian captain Smit Machchhar and the passengers for preventing what could have become a major disaster.

According to accounts of the incident, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar before attempting to crash the aircraft. Passengers rushed toward the cockpit and became involved in a struggle to regain control of the plane.

Flightradar24 data indicated that the aircraft lost approximately 17,000 feet of altitude within a minute as the incident unfolded.

Israeli officials have described the incident as “an attempted terrorist attack.” Netanyahu had previously acknowledged that the possibility of a mental health issue had not been ruled out.

“During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board,” Netanyahu said in an earlier video message.

Passengers hailed as heroes

Netanyahu later praised Machchhar for what he called his “extraordinary bravery.”

The Indian ambassador to the UAE visited the injured captain, with the Indian embassy reporting that he was in good health and recovering well.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Machchhar, describing him as a “HERO” and saying his actions had helped save lives.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” during the incident, which occurred as the plane was flying over Jordan.

“The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters.

She said the aircraft appeared to be heading toward a crash and credited the passengers who intervened, saying they took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him.

Flydubai said another crew member who was travelling on the flight landed the aircraft safely. The airline also announced that flights to Israel would be suspended while the investigation continued.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he would honour five Israeli passengers who helped overpower the co-pilot and prevent the aircraft from crashing.