US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a “very hard” response if investigators establish a link between Tehran and the alleged cockpit attack on an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight.
The warning came as investigators continued probing why an Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Indian captain, causing the Boeing 737 Max 8 to enter a steep descent before crew members and passengers intervened and the aircraft was safely landed in Saudi Arabia.
Trump Warns Iran Over FlyDubai Flight Attack
Asked at the White House whether he had received information linking the attacker to Iran, Trump said the US was “working on it right now” but indicated that the answer could be yes.
When reporters asked whether Washington would retaliate against Tehran if Iran was found to be behind the incident, Trump issued a direct warning.
“Oh they’ll be hit, very hard, don’t worry,” he said, adding that Iran “know[s] what happened.”
The US President’s comments came amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war involving Iran and Israel and as Washington continues to assess developments in the region.
What Happened Inside The Cockpit?
The FlyDubai aircraft was carrying 182 people, most of them Israelis, on a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv.
According to accounts emerging from the investigation, the co-pilot attacked the Indian captain inside the cockpit. The injured captain was reportedly able to open the cockpit door, allowing others on board to enter and restrain the attacker.
Passengers who intervened described a chaotic situation as the aircraft went into an unusually steep descent.
Asaf Rajuan, one of the passengers who helped in the cockpit, said the intervention was driven by an instinct to survive.
The aircraft eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Emergency Codes Sent From Cockpit
Flight-tracking data indicated that emergency signals were transmitted from the aircraft during the incident.
The aircraft first transmitted “7700”, the internationally recognised emergency squawk code. It was later followed by “7500”, a code associated with unlawful interference, including a possible hijacking.
According to Flightradar24 data cited in reports, the Boeing 737 Max 8 descended from around 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in roughly a minute before making an erratic turn near the Jordanian-Saudi border.
FlyDubai said the aircraft was secured by crew members who diverted it and landed safely.
Iran Link Remains Under Investigation
A regional official briefed on the investigation said the suspect, an Omani citizen, had been arrested and that authorities were examining multiple possible motives.
The official said investigators were considering scenarios ranging from terrorism to mental-health-related explanations and that nothing had been ruled out.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that the suspect underwent Islamist indoctrination, but he has also said it is too early to establish Iranian involvement.
Oman’s government has not publicly commented on the incident.
Israeli intelligence and security officials have also been involved in the investigation in Saudi Arabia, while Israel has requested access to the suspect for questioning.
Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Being Treated
The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, has been widely praised for his actions during the emergency.
The Indian government said on Thursday that Machchhar was recovering in Abu Dhabi after the incident.
A video recorded inside the aircraft by a passenger, identified as dentist Dr Shota Musayev, showed the restrained co-pilot after passengers intervened.
US Military Presence In Middle East
Trump’s warning comes as military and diplomatic tensions in the Middle East remain high.
A US official said roughly 9,000 American troops had been dispatched aboard a group of ships to the region. The deployment could result in three US aircraft carriers being present in the region by late October, according to the official.
Meanwhile, mediators are continuing efforts to broker an agreement between the US and Iran aimed at ending the fighting and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, however, investigators have not publicly established whether Iran played any role in the FlyDubai cockpit attack.
