Trump says Iran may be linked to FlyDubai co‑pilot

Trump hinted at Iranian involvement in the FlyDubai incident that forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:46:23 GMT

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iran may be linked to the FlyDubai co‑pilot who allegedly tried to crash an Israel‑bound flight, adding that investigators are "working on it" but offering no details.

What happened

The FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co‑pilot stabbed the captain during the aircraft’s approach. Passengers and off‑duty pilots subdued the attacker and the plane landed safely on Thursday, 1 October 2026. The flight carried 174 passengers, most of them Israelis.

What the reports add

New Indian Express reported that Trump was asked whether he had been briefed on any links between the co‑pilot and Tehran, and he replied, "I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now." The outlet also quoted Trump saying any retaliation would be "very hard" for Iran. CBS News recorded the same remarks, adding that Trump said the co‑pilot "could've been, yeah" placed there by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or radicalized in another way. CBS noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said it was "too early to say" whether Iran was involved.

What was said

"I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now," Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn, as reported by both New Indian Express and CBS News.

"Could've been, yeah," Trump added when asked if the co‑pilot might have been placed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to CBS News.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS News on Wednesday that the co‑pilot’s motives were still unknown and that it was "too early to say" whether Iran was involved.

How it came about

The incident follows a FlyDubai flight diversion reported by Felo News on 30 September 2026, where a cockpit altercation forced the aircraft to land in Tabuk. Earlier in September, Trump had been discussing possible Iran talks (28 September) and had described the broader Iran‑Israel conflict as "small potatoes" (21 September). The current comments add a new dimension by linking the alleged attack to Iran.

Key facts

President Donald Trump suggested Iran may be linked to the FlyDubai co‑pilot who stabbed the captain. (newindianexpress.com)
The FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co‑pilot attacked the captain. (cbsnews.com)
The aircraft carried 174 passengers, most of them Israelis. (newindianexpress.com)