Trump warns Iran as probe into Flydubai cockpit attack widens

New Delhi: The United States president, Donald Trump, has warned that Iran would face a “very hard” response if investigators found that Tehran was linked to the copilot accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar of an Israel-bound Flydubai flight. Trump made the remarks while answering reporters during a press gaggle upon his departure from the White House on October 1.

Asked by a reporter on the White House whether the copilot was linked to Iran, Trump said, “We’re working on it right now. They’re being very open with us. I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes. But we’re working on it right now.”

Asked if the US would retaliate against Tehran if Iran was behind the attack, Trump said, “They’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.” He added, “You just ask them. They know what happened. They’ll be hit very hard.”

The warning came after the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following an attack inside the cockpit. The copilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar, causing the aircraft to go into a steep descent before the captain opened the cockpit door and passengers and crew members intervened.

What investigators are examining

The UAE has taken the lead in the investigation because the aircraft is registered in the country. Authorities are examining the circumstances and motive of the attack, including whether it was connected to terrorist activity, whether it was planned in advance and whether the suspect acted under the direction of another person or organization.

Saudi Arabia has also carried out a preliminary investigation. Its interior ministry said the initial findings showed that the copilot assaulted the captain, leaving both men injured, before the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk. Saudi authorities subsequently handed the copilot over to the UAE.

Investigators are also trying to establish exactly how the attack was carried out and how the copilot gained access to a weapon or sharp object inside the cockpit. Another key question is whether the attack was an isolated act or part of a wider plan, including whether the suspect received assistance or instructions from anyone else.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said the copilot underwent what he described as Islamist radical indoctrination. Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said, “We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,” adding that the attacker was being interrogated and that the assessment was based on information about his personal background. He also said it was too early to determine whether the copilot had any connection to Iran or anyone else, with investigators expected to establish that more definitively in the coming days.

Netanyahu also described the Omani copilot as “suicidal”, saying he shouted “Kill me, kill me!” after being subdued by crew members and passengers. He also said the attacker appeared to have got through a loophole in Israel’s aviation rules and that the incident exposed a gap in pilot screening.

The copilot has not been publicly identified. He has been described as an Omani national, while investigators from several countries are examining his background and the circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack.

Smit, who was injured during the incident, is recovering well in Abu Dhabi, according to an earlier RNA Media report quoting Indian ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal. Mittal had said Machchhar was “doing well” and “quite stable”, and was talking and chatting despite some discomfort.

Machchhar also spoke with the prime minister, Narendra Modi, over a video call on Friday, during which he described the cockpit ordeal and told the prime minister that he had continued reciting the Hanuman Chalisa while pushing himself to open the cockpit door despite his injuries. Modi praised his courage and presence of mind and wished him a quick recovery, while assuring him that he was “only a phone call away” if any assistance was required.

The motive behind the cockpit incident remains under investigation. The UAE attorney general has ordered a specialized probe to determine the circumstances and whether the episode involved terrorist activity, prior planning or outside direction, and has urged against drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed.