Trump threatens Iran with ‘very hard’ strike over flydubai attack

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would face a “very hard” response if investigations establish that Tehran was linked to an alleged attack on a flydubai flight bound for Israel.

Trump made the threat on Thursday as authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia investigated an incident in which the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain of the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Asked at the White House whether Iran was involved, Trump said the US was still investigating but suggested he believed there could be a connection.

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

When asked whether Washington would retaliate if Iran was found responsible, Trump said: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”

The US president did not provide evidence linking Iran to the incident, while investigations into the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack remain ongoing. The UAE prosecutor has ordered a probe to determine whether the incident involved terrorist activity, prior planning or direction.

The incident occurred on flydubai Flight FZ1073 while it was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

According to officials and passenger accounts, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar before the aircraft went into a steep descent. The plane reportedly lost about 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before control was regained.

Machchhar, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to enter and overpower the co-pilot. Two off-duty flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft subsequently helped land the plane safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

The mostly Israeli passengers were later flown back to Israel on a replacement flight, where they were welcomed by officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the passengers and crew for preventing what he described as a potentially catastrophic attack.

Netanyahu also said the suspect had undergone what he called “Islamist radical indoctrination” and claimed the attacker had shouted “kill me, kill me” during the incident. However, authorities have not publicly established the motive or confirmed an Iranian connection.

The suspect, who Israeli officials have described as an Omani national, was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE under security escort as investigators continued their work.

The incident has also prompted renewed scrutiny of aviation security and the screening of pilots flying into Israel, particularly after an attack allegedly originated from inside the cockpit.

Meanwhile, the US has increased its military presence in the region, with additional air-defence systems reportedly deployed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar amid heightened tensions with Iran.

Flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Israel while investigations continue and has urged against premature conclusions about the motive behind the incident.