United States President Donald Trump has said he personally believes Iran was responsible for the alleged terrorist attack aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel, even as investigators have yet to establish any confirmed link between the suspect and the Iranian government or an Iranian-backed organisation.
Trump made the assertion on Monday while responding to a question from Fox News reporter Lucas Fox about whether he believed Tehran was behind the incident.
“I do; I personally do,” Trump said, according to a transcript of his remarks.
The US President, however, did not publicly provide evidence to substantiate his assessment.
The statement came as authorities continued investigating the September 30 incident involving Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to reports, the Omani co-pilot, identified by several international media organisations as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked the captain while the aircraft was in flight and attempted to gain control of the cockpit.
The captain reportedly managed to open the cockpit door after the assault, enabling passengers and members of the cabin crew to intervene and overpower the co-pilot.
Two off-duty pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently assisted the crew in regaining control of the aircraft.
The plane later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. More than 170 people were reportedly on board at the time of the incident.
The United Arab Emirates has classified the incident as a terrorist attack and is leading investigations into the suspect, his background and his possible motives.
Authorities in Israel and Saudi Arabia are also involved in the investigation, while officials in other countries have reportedly examined aspects of the suspect’s background, including his previous activities and time spent in Australia and New Zealand.
Despite Trump’s assertion, there is currently no publicly established evidence demonstrating that Iran ordered, financed or otherwise supported the alleged attack.
Israeli investigators have reportedly considered the possibility that the suspect acted alone, although inquiries remain ongoing into whether he had connections with any extremist organisation, foreign government or other external actors.
The investigation is therefore yet to determine whether the incident was the action of a lone extremist or part of a broader operation.
Trump’s position also appears to differ from that of US Vice President JD Vance, who indicated that there was no conclusive evidence at the time linking Iran to the incident.
The differing assessments have drawn attention to the distinction between a political or intelligence assessment and conclusions that can be established through an ongoing criminal and security investigation.
The suspect remains in custody in the United Arab Emirates as investigators examine his background, ideological beliefs, professional history and possible connections.
Authorities are also reportedly investigating his previous training and activities outside the Middle East as they seek to establish his motivations and determine how he came to serve as a co-pilot on a flight bound for Israel.
The incident has raised fresh questions about aviation security, particularly the screening and vetting procedures applicable to pilots and other aviation personnel operating flights to and from Israel.
Israeli authorities are reviewing existing security arrangements, while investigators continue to examine how the alleged cockpit attack was carried out and whether there were warning signs that could have been detected before the flight.
The incident has also heightened concerns about the potential vulnerability of commercial aviation to politically motivated violence, particularly on routes involving countries and regions facing heightened geopolitical tensions.
For now, however, the question of whether Iran had any involvement remains unresolved.
While President Trump has expressed his personal belief that Tehran was responsible, investigators have not publicly produced evidence establishing such a connection.
The ongoing investigation is expected to focus on the suspect’s personal history, ideological affiliations, communications, financial activities and contacts to determine whether he acted independently or received direction or assistance from others.
Until those inquiries are completed, the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and any possible foreign involvement remain subject to investigation.
