US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with a “very hard” military response if Tehran is found to have been behind an alleged attempt by the co-pilot of an Israel-bound passenger aircraft to crash the plane with more than 180 people aboard.
Trump issued the warning on Thursday as investigators continued probing the dramatic mid-air attack involving a FlyDubai flight travelling from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, Israel.
The incident occurred when the aircraft’s Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed the Indian captain, causing the aircraft to plunge into a steep descent.
The crisis was eventually brought under control after the injured captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to confront and restrain the attacker.
The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely.
Asked by reporters at the White House whether he had been briefed on possible links between the suspect and Iran, Trump said investigators were still working on the matter.
“We’re working on it right now,” he said.
Pressed on whether he believed there was an Iranian connection, Trump replied: “I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now.”
But when asked whether the United States would retaliate against Iran if Tehran was found to be behind the incident, Trump issued a stark warning.
“Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry. You just ask them. They know what happened. They’ll be hit very hard,” he said.
The incident has triggered a multi-country investigation involving authorities in Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, and Oman, with the United States also involved.
A regional official briefed on the investigation said the suspect, an Omani citizen, was arrested following the emergency landing and later handed over to the UAE.
Investigators are examining the circumstances of the attack, the suspect’s background, and possible motive, including whether he acted alone or was connected to an organised group.
The investigation is also expected to determine whether the attack was specifically intended to bring down the aircraft or whether the suspect had another objective.
Israeli authorities have raised concerns about possible terrorism, but the investigation has yet to establish publicly that the suspect was acting on behalf of Iran or any other government.
Passengers aboard the aircraft have described a chaotic struggle after the attack began.
The co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to enter a dangerously steep descent.
Despite being injured, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, giving passengers access to the cockpit. Passengers and crew members then grappled with the co-pilot and succeeded in restraining him.
The severity of the descent reportedly caused damage to the aircraft, including its rudder, before the plane was stabilised.
The aircraft was eventually diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Asaf Rajuan, one of the passengers who intervened, described the experience as a desperate fight for survival.
“We felt helpless, suspended in midair, and I didn’t know who to turn to. But it was all instinct to survive,” Rajuan said in a statement shared by Israel’s presidency.
