Trump says Iran will be hit ‘very hard’ if it is behind copilot who tried to crash flight to Israel
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a severe response against Iran if it is found to be linked to a copilot who attempted to crash an Israel-bound flight. The incident, which occurred amid ongoing regional tensions, has prompted the U.S. to deploy additional military assets to the Middle East.
Why it matters
The potential involvement of a state actor in an aviation attack could significantly escalate the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (October 1, 2026) that if Iran is linked to the copilot who tried to crash an Israel-bound flight, the Islamic Republic would be struck "very hard" for the attempt on the lives of more than 180 people aboard the jet.
Mr. Trump issued the warning as investigators worked to determine why the copilot stabbed the flight's captain, causing the FlyDubai plane to plummet before others on board stopped the attack and landed the airliner in Saudi Arabia.
Asked by reporters at the White House whether he had been briefed about any links between the pilot behind the attack and Tehran, Mr. Trump said, "We're working on it right now." "I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now," he said, without elaborating on why he suspected Iran might be involved.
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