Trump Threatens Iran if Flydubai Attack Link Is Established

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened severe retaliation against Iran if investigators establish that Tehran was connected to an attack aboard a Flydubai flight to Israel, while acknowledging that the alleged link remains under investigation and offering no supporting evidence publicly. Asked at the White House on Thursday, October 1, whether Iran was involved, Trump said his information suggested it might be, but added that authorities were still working to determine what happened. He said Iran would be hit very hard if it were found responsible. His remarks were conditional; the investigation has not publicly established an Iranian role. The incident occurred aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The copilot allegedly attacked the captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, and the aircraft descended sharply. Passengers and other crew members intervened, and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Reports differ on the number aboard, giving totals of 174 and 182, so no single figure can be confirmed from the available accounts. UAE authorities said they had opened an investigation that includes whether the incident involved terrorist activity or intent.