Trump Warns Iran Will Be Hit Hard Over Flydubai Co-Pilot Attack

Flydubai – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – A flydubai co-pilot is at the center of a frightening incident on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Officials say he attacked the captain during the trip, and the plane suddenly began to lose height.

Passengers and crew stepped in to stop him. The aircraft then made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Most of the people on board were Israeli. They were later flown home on a replacement flight and received a hero’s welcome.

What happened inside the cabin

Saudi Arabia said its first investigation shows the co-pilot attacked the captain. A fight for control of the plane followed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.

According to Flightradar24, the aircraft dropped about 17,000 feet in just one minute. That is a very scary fall for anyone sitting in the cabin.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said the plane was almost out of control over Jordan. She said many people worked together to take control of the co-pilot.

Flydubai said another crew member who was traveling on the flight landed the plane safely. The airline has now paused all flights to Israel while the investigation continues.

The captain and the passengers get praise

The captain is Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. Netanyahu praised his “extraordinary bravery.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a “HERO.” The Indian embassy in the UAE said he is in good health and recovering well.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he will honor five Israelis who helped overpower the co-pilot.

Investigation: terrorism or mental health?

The UAE chief prosecutor said investigators will look at whether there was any “terrorist activity or intent.” Netanyahu said the UAE will lead the case, and Israel will take part.

President Trump suggested the FlyDubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash a passenger plane en route to Israel is linked to Iran, “based on what I’m hearing.”

“We’re working on it right now,” Trump said Thursday. “They’re being very open with us. I would say the answer, based… pic.twitter.com/YUgTZvKV9Y

— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 1, 2026

He said the suspect is an Omani national. He also said Israel will check how the man was allowed to work on flights to the country.

Netanyahu said the co-pilot was clearly suicidal and claimed he shouted “kill me” to the crew. Earlier, he had not ruled out a mental health cause. Israeli officials have called the event an attempted terrorist attack.

Saudi Arabia has sent the co-pilot to the UAE with an Emirati security team. The motive is not officially confirmed yet.

Trump warns Iran

US President Donald Trump was asked if Iran was linked to the incident. He said the answer, based on what he is hearing, is yes, but that the US is still working on it.

He added that Iran will be “hit very hard” if it is found responsible.

The warning came as the US increased its military presence in the region. Axios reported that more Patriot missile batteries were sent to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to protect key energy sites.

Axios also reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier group is heading to the Middle East. Two other US carrier groups are already there.

The full story is still unfolding. More details are likely to come as investigators share their findings.