Donald Trump says Iran was behind the failed hijacking of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 — and warned Tehran it would be hit "very hard" if investigators confirm the link. The escalation came as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the Omani co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination and appeared intent on crashing the plane with 182 people aboard.
Trump: "they'll be hit, very hard"
Asked whether the US would retaliate if Iran was behind the attack, Trump told reporters: "Oh they'll be hit, very hard, don't worry." On the Iran link itself, he said: "I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now." No official evidence of Iranian involvement has been presented yet.
Netanyahu: co-pilot was radicalized and suicidal
Speaking on Fox & Friends, Netanyahu said the co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination and demanded passengers "kill me" after they subdued him. "It's clear he was suicidal. That's not a question," Netanyahu said. "It was clear he was going to down that plane." He added the suspect slipped through a loophole in Israeli aviation rules that normally bar pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel — which includes Oman.
What happened on FZ1073
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight carrying 182 people, mostly Israelis, descended so sharply during the struggle that the plane's rudder was torn away. The bloodied Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, letting passengers in to grapple with the co-pilot and stabilize the aircraft. "We felt helpless, suspended in midair," passenger Asaf Rajuan said in a statement shared by Israel's presidency. On Friday, UAE official Anwar Gargash praised Machchhar on X, calling the attack an act of terrorism and the captain a "true hero."
Investigation: motive still unclear
Saudi Arabia's preliminary investigation confirmed the captain was assaulted by his co-pilot, with both pilots injured; the co-pilot has been transferred to UAE custody. The UAE has opened a formal probe into whether the incident involved terrorist activity, prior planning, or outside direction. Reuters reports the motive remains unclear. The Indian envoy in the UAE met Machchhar in Abu Dhabi and confirmed he is stable and recovering.
Watch: FlyDubai hijack probe eyes Iran link as Trump warns Tehran; Captain Smit recovers
Read our earlier report: FlyDubai Pilot Stabbed Mid-Flight, Saves 170+ Passengers
Sources: New York Post