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Trump Says Co-Pilot Who Attempted to Crash Airliner Likely Linked to Iran... 'Under Investigation'

Lee Hyun-jung

Published : Oct 2, 2026 4:53 AM


▲ U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters on the 1st, local time.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 1st, local time, that the co-pilot, who reportedly attempted to crash a flydubai airliner heading to Israel, is likely linked to Iran.

When asked by reporters at the White House about the possible connection between the co-pilot and Iran, President Trump said, "Based on what I am hearing, the answer would be yes."

However, he added, "Currently, we are investigating," and did not disclose specific details regarding the suspected ties.

The damaged vertical stabilizer rudder of the flydubai airliner that made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia (Photo: Captured from social media X, Yonhap News)On September 30, flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, en route to Israel, experienced an incident where the co-pilot, an Omani national, stabbed the captain with a weapon and attempted to crash the plane.

The aircraft plunged sharply during the incident, but the injured captain opened the cockpit door, and passengers subdued the co-pilot, averting a disaster.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated in an interview with U.S. media that it is "too early to say" regarding the possibility of Iranian involvement.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)