Trump warns Iran: ‘They will be hit very hard’ if linked to flydubai plane attack | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will be hit “very hard” if investigators prove a link between Tehran and the co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain and trying to crash an Israel-bound plane with 182 people on board.
Trump said on Thursday (October 1) as investigators from several countries worked to determine the motive behind the incident involving FlyDubai’s Boeing 737 Max 8 that was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Trump says connection to Iran under investigation
Asked at the White House if he had been briefed on possible ties between the second pilot and Tehran, Trump said investigators were still working on the matter.
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A FlyDubai flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain, causing the plane to rapidly lose altitude.
US President Donald Trump has indicated that investigators are looking into possible ties between the second pilot and Iran, although no definitive evidence has yet been shared.
Passengers intervened to restrain the co-pilot after the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing some to enter and help stabilize the plane.
Trump warned that Iran would be hit “very hard” if a link was established between Tehran and the incident involving the FlyDubai flight.
The investigation is looking into various motives for the attack, including terrorism and potential mental health issues, with authorities from multiple countries involved.
“I would say the answer based on what I’m hearing is yes, but that’s what we’re working on,” Trump said, without explaining why he suspected Iranian involvement.
Asked if the US would retaliate if Iran was found to be behind the attack, Trump said: “Oh, they’re going to be hit, very hard, don’t worry.”
“Just ask them,” he added. “They know what happened. They’re going to be hit very hard.”
Trump’s comments came as diplomatic efforts to end the seven-month war between the US and Iran appeared to have stalled.
There were 182 people on board the plane bound for Israel
The FlyDubai flight was traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv with 182 people on board, mostly Israelis, when the incident took place.
The co-pilot stabbed the captain, causing the plane to plummet before the passengers and other crew intervened.
The bloodied captain, identified as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and confront the co-pilot. They helped stabilize the aircraft and regain control.
The plane eventually landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The investigation is looking into terrorism and other motives
The suspect is an Omani national and has been arrested. Authorities from Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, the United States and Oman are involved in the effort to determine the motive.
“All possible scenarios, from terrorism to mental disorders, are being investigated. Nothing has been ruled out yet,” the AP quoted the statement as saying.
Israeli intelligence and security officials also traveled to Saudi Arabia to assist with the investigation. Israel has requested that the suspect be sent to the country for questioning, although it is unclear whether the request will be granted.
Netanyahu subscribes to Islamist indoctrination
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the suspect had undergone Islamist indoctrination, but did not provide details.
Netanyahu also said the suspect appeared to have exploited a loophole in Israel’s aviation rules. These rules generally restrict pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel from flying to that country. Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
However, Netanyahu said it was “too early to say” whether any Iranian involvement was involved in the incident.
The Omani government has not commented publicly.
US military presence grows amid tensions in Iran
Trump’s warning came as the US military simultaneously increased its presence in the Middle East.
The AP, citing a US official, said about 9,000 sailors and marines had been sent aboard a group of ships to the region. The deployment includes the carrier strike group USS Theodore Roosevelt and the amphibious standby group USS Makin Island.
The move could see three US aircraft carriers in the region as early as late October, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the military operations.
The development coincides with ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump is leaving the door open to another bombing of Iran
Trump also said in an interview with Time magazine published Thursday that he might resume or increase the bombing of Iran after the Nov. 3 U.S. election.
Trump declined to provide details when asked about his strategy.
“I can’t tell you that because look, you know, you’re asking where are you going to bomb?” he said.
Trump also rejected Iran’s latest proposal for a cease-fire, saying it contained terms he would not accept now, even if he might have accepted them a year ago.
He specifically cited Tehran’s offer to “open” the Strait of Hormuz, but said the broader proposal was “not good enough.”
Read also | Trump’s next move in Iran? Pentagon weighs sending plane, 10,000 sailors – report
