Flydubai horror: Trump warns Iran would be hit “very hard” if investigators establish a connection between Tehran and the co-pilot as cockpit attack probed

A flight bound for Israel nearly became a disaster — now investigators are examining the attacker, the security failures and possible Iranian links

THE BIGGER STORY

A terrifying attack inside the cockpit of a Flydubai passenger jet has suddenly become part of the wider Middle East crisis, after President Donald Trump warned that Iran would be hit “very hard” if investigators establish a connection between Tehran and the co-pilot accused of trying to bring down the aircraft.

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday with more than 180 people aboard when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain, sending the Boeing 737 MAX into a dramatic descent over Saudi Arabia. The aircraft ultimately landed safely at Tabuk after passengers and crew intervened.

TRUMP RAISES THE IRAN QUESTION

Trump was asked at the White House whether he had been briefed about possible links between the suspect and Iran. He said the US was “working on it” but added that, based on what he was hearing, the answer appeared to be yes — while providing no evidence publicly for an Iranian connection. Investigators are still examining all possible motives.

That makes the Flydubai incident particularly significant. What initially appeared to be an extraordinary cockpit assault is now being investigated against the backdrop of an already explosive regional confrontation involving Israel, Iran and the Gulf states.

CAPTAIN BADLY INJURED

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed in the head and suffered such severe damage to his arm that it was “basically split in two”. Despite his injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to get inside.

Passengers then grappled with the attacker while other pilots travelling on the aircraft helped regain control of the jet. A dentist among the passengers reportedly treated the wounded captain, while the off-duty pilots helped fly the aircraft to safety.

THE PLANE PLUNGED THOUSANDS OF FEET

Flight-tracking data showed just how close the situation came to catastrophe. The aircraft dropped from around 33,000 feet to roughly 17,000 feet in a matter of minutes before stabilising. Emergency codes were also transmitted, including 7700, signalling a general emergency, and 7500, indicating unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.

The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where the injured pilots were treated before being returned to the UAE.

WHY WAS THE CO-PILOT ALLOWED TO FLY?

That is now becoming another major question.

Netanyahu has claimed the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation, but no evidence supporting that allegation has been publicly released and officials have stressed that the motive remains under investigation. The suspect has been identified as an Omani national, and reports have raised questions about how he was cleared to operate a flight into Israel given the country's aviation restrictions involving nationals of states without diplomatic relations with Israel.

The UAE has launched its own investigation, including whether the incident was connected to terrorism, while Saudi, Israeli, Emirati, Omani and US authorities are involved in various parts of the investigation.

THE SECURITY QUESTION

The incident is also exposing questions about aviation security. Security experts have questioned how an attacker carrying or obtaining a weapon could reach the cockpit and launch such an assault before the aircraft was secured. The investigation is therefore likely to examine not only the co-pilot's motive, but also recruitment, screening, cockpit procedures and airport security.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: A Flydubai flight bound for Israel was nearly brought down after its co-pilot attacked the captain. Passengers and crew intervened, other pilots took control and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The captain survived, the suspect is in custody, and the motive remains officially unresolved.

But Trump's warning has changed the temperature around the story: if investigators eventually establish an Iranian connection, a terrifying incident aboard one passenger jet could become part of the much larger confrontation involving Tehran.

AN ORIGINAL

Odd....why isn't he having a hissy fit about the attempt to blow up US fighter jets in the UK and flattening Iran right now?

ChatGPT: The US February Iran operation alone involved thousands of strikes over an extended period, and the July and September actions consisted of multiple attacks.

Iran's leaders must be so scared, they're probably hiding in catering trucks.

Wait. Oh. 😄

Trump warns Iran. Iran either ignores him, or escalates.

It's a broken record.

I doubt Trump will ever understand when someone is threatened, the go-to response usually is go <deleted> yourself. AskMark Carney, he does it brilliantly.