U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with severe retaliation if Tehran is found to be linked to an attempt by a co-pilot to crash a FlyDubai passenger jet carrying more than 180 people to Israel.
The incident occurred when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain, causing the aircraft to plunge before passengers and other crew members intervened to stop the attack. The plane subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, with no reported fatalities.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said investigators were examining possible links between the attacker and Iran.
Asked whether Tehran was involved, he said: “I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now.”
Trump warned that Iran would face a forceful response if its involvement was established, saying it would be “hit very hard.” He offered no evidence to support his suspicions.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the co-pilot’s motives and the sequence of events that led to the aircraft’s sudden descent.
The incident comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the seven-month war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iranian officials said Wednesday that Tehran had received an official response from Washington to its latest proposal to end the conflict, although they did not disclose its contents or confirm whether it amounted to a rejection.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military has deployed approximately 9,000 additional troops aboard a group of ships to the Middle East, according to an American official cited by the Associated Press.
Despite Trump's public rejection of Iran's proposal, mediators are continuing efforts to secure an agreement to end the fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
