Trump says he personally believes Iran was behind flydubai attack
Donald Trump stated his belief that Iran played a role in the attack on flydubai Flight FZ1073. During the incident, co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami assaulted Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit. Machchhar managed to regain control and prevent the aircraft from being diverted towards Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar for his heroic actions, inviting him and his family to future celebrations.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he personally believed Iran was responsible for the attack on a flydubai flight in which an Omani co-pilot allegedly tried to seize control of the aircraft and crash it. Asked at the White House whether he believed Iran was behind the incident, Trump replied, “I do. I personally do,” as per a Reuters report. The remarks came days after the September 30 attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The aircraft was forced into a steep descent after Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The incident was brought under control after Machchhar, despite suffering severe injuries, managed to open the cockpit door and allow passengers and off-duty crew members to enter and restrain al-Hammami. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 180 people on board disembarking safely. Co-pilot allegedly planned to crash aircraftThe attack triggered a rapid descent of around 16,000 feet in two minutes before a hijacking distress signal was transmitted. Reports by The Times of Israel on Sunday said al-Hammami had intended to direct the aircraft towards Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
The reports, citing Hebrew media sources, said he was detained and questioned by authorities in the United Arab Emirates. According to those reports, al-Hammami told investigators that he allegedly planned to incapacitate Machchhar, continue the flight normally, secure the necessary landing clearances and then crash the aircraft into an airport facility or a parked aircraft. Machchhar was able to thwart the alleged plan by opening the cockpit door after the initial assault.
He later described suffering severely blurred vision after the confrontation. Indian pilot praised for preventing crashMachchhar's actions have drawn praise in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling him a “hero of Israel, India, and the world” during a video call while the pilot was recovering. Netanyahu also spoke directly with Machchhar by phone. Following the conversation, the Israeli government invited the Indian pilot and his family to attend Israel’s Independence Day celebrations in May 2027.
Trump's comments mark a direct public assertion of an Iranian connection to the incident. The president did not provide details or evidence for his belief when responding to reporters.