US President says a possible Iranian connection to the cockpit attack on an Israel-bound Flydubai flight is being investigated, but provides no evidence establishing Tehran’s involvement.
Washington, Oct 2026 : US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would face a “very hard” response if Tehran is found to have been behind the attack aboard a Flydubai passenger aircraft, while stressing that investigators were still examining a possible Iranian connection.
Speaking to reporters before leaving the White House for Texas, Trump was asked whether he had been briefed on possible links between Iran and the co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073. Trump said officials were working to establish the facts but indicated that the information he was receiving pointed towards a possible Iranian connection.
“We're working on it right now. They're being very open with us. Uh, I would say the answer based on what I'm hearing is yes, but we're working on it right now,” Trump said.
Asked whether the man could have been placed aboard the aircraft by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), or could have been radicalised through another channel, Trump replied that it “could have been”.
The President, however, did not provide evidence supporting an Iranian role and made clear that the matter remained under investigation.
Trump was later asked whether the United States would retaliate against Iran if investigators determined that Tehran was responsible for the incident.
“Oh, they'll be hit very hard. Don't worry. You just ask them. They know what happened. They'll be hit very hard,” he said.
Trump then widened his remarks to Iran’s economic and military situation, as well as the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed that Iran was facing extremely high inflation, a weakened currency and serious economic difficulties, while asserting that the United States had control of the strategically important waterway.
“Look, Iran now has got 301 per cent inflation. Their money is valueless. Their economy is gone. They have no military. They have no anti-aircraft computers. They have very little going,” Trump said.
He also claimed that the United States had moved more oil through the Strait of Hormuz during the previous two days than at any point in its history, including the period before the current conflict.
Trump praised the US military and said he was facing decisions over Washington’s next steps towards Tehran.
“I tell you what, you know what it is, our Navy is incredible. Our military is incredible, the job they've done. Now I have to make a decision. They'll either sign a very fair deal or they won't exist any longer,” he said.
The President also reiterated his position that Iran would not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
“They cannot have nuclear weapons and they won't have, and they're agreeing not to have,” Trump said.
The Flydubai incident involved a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently landed safely at Tabuk, with passengers and other crew members helping to restrain the attacker. Reports said the aircraft experienced a rapid loss of altitude during the incident.
Saudi and UAE authorities are investigating the incident, including the motive behind the attack and whether it had any connection to terrorist activity. The suspect has been taken into custody and handed over to UAE authorities.
Israeli officials have also raised questions about possible ideological radicalisation, but investigators have not publicly established an Iranian connection. Trump’s comments therefore represent a warning based on information he said he was receiving rather than a declaration that Tehran’s involvement had been proven.
The episode comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and the continuing dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump’s remarks added a potential international dimension to the Flydubai investigation while authorities continue to examine the circumstances, motive and possible external links behind the cockpit attack.
