Trump threatens Iran with retaliation if linked to flydubai attack

US President Donald Trump has threatened retaliation against Iran if it is found to be linked to an alleged attack aboard a flydubai flight to Israel. Trump told reporters that he believed Iran’s involvement was possible but that the matter was still being investigated. Asked whether Washington would retaliate if Iran were responsible, he said Iran would be hit “very hard”.

The flight travelled from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to bring down the aircraft. Passengers and crew intervened, and the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The United Arab Emirates opened an investigation into whether the incident involved terrorism. Saudi Arabia said the co-pilot was transferred to the UAE with an Emirati security team and that its initial investigation indicated he had attacked the captain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the suspect had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination, but earlier comments did not rule out mental-health problems.

He identified the suspect as an Omani national and said Israel would examine how he had been cleared to work on flights to the country. Washington was also reported to have increased military protection in the region, including additional Patriot missile batteries and naval deployments, although the supplied report does not establish that these movements were directly connected to the flight incident. Flydubai suspended flights to Israel while the investigation continued.

Israel’s president said five Israeli passengers who helped overpower the co-pilot would be honoured. No final official finding linking Iran to the attack was included.