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US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would be “hit very hard” if investigators establish that Tehran was involved in an attempted attack on a flydubai flight bound for Israel.
Trump said on Wednesday that Iran was likely involved when asked by reporters at the White House whether Tehran had a role in the incident, in which the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft.
“I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now,” AFP reported Trump saying.
Asked whether the United States would retaliate against Iran if it was found responsible, Trump said: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”
The flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot attacked the captain and the aircraft plunged rapidly. Passengers and other crew members intervened and helped regain control of the plane, which later landed safely.
The motive behind the incident and any possible external involvement remain under investigation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination, while Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
Trump's warning came as he adopted a harder line on the broader conflict with Iran.
In an interview with Time published on Wednesday, Trump said it was possible he could resume bombing Iran after the US midterm elections in November.
“Yeah, I would do that. It’s possible,” Trump was quoted as saying, while reiterating his threat to “annihilate” Iran.
Meanwhile, the United States was expected to deploy a third aircraft carrier and up to 10,000 additional service members to the Middle East by the end of November, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Iran, meanwhile, is preparing for a potentially broader response if the United States resumes large-scale attacks while continuing diplomatic efforts, according to sources cited by Reuters. - October 2, 2026
