Trump Warns Iran of ‘Very Hard’ Response if Linked to Flydubai Attack

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would face a severe response if investigators establish that Tehran was linked to the alleged attack on a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Trump made the statement on Thursday as authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Israel continued investigating the incident, in which the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain before passengers and crew intervened.

Asked at the White House whether Iran was involved, Trump said his answer was “yes” based on what he was hearing, while acknowledging that investigations were still ongoing.

When asked whether the United States would retaliate if Iran was found responsible, Trump said: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”

The warning came as investigators worked to establish the motive behind the cockpit attack. The UAE has opened a formal investigation to determine whether the incident involved terrorist activity, intent or prior planning. Saudi authorities said their preliminary findings indicated that the captain had been assaulted by the co-pilot.

The flight, carrying 174 passengers, was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when the incident occurred. The aircraft plunged sharply before the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The plane subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the incident as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft and said the Omani co-pilot had undergone what he called “Islamist radical indoctrination.” However, investigators have not publicly established the motive or confirmed any Iranian connection.

Trump’s comments came amid heightened US military activity in the Middle East. Reports said additional Patriot missile batteries had been deployed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group was heading towards the region.

The captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, and passengers who helped subdue the co-pilot have been praised for preventing a potential disaster. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said Machchhar was recovering, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his actions.

Flydubai has suspended flights to Israel while investigations continue. Authorities in the region are expected to examine the co-pilot’s background, the circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack and whether anyone else was involved.