President Donald Trump told reporters on Oct. 5 that he personally believes Iran was behind the foiled Sept. 30 attack on a Flydubai flight, but investigators have not confirmed any foreign ties. The UAE is leading an international probe into the incident in which pilot Smit Machchhar was stabbed and the plane carrying 170 passengers was nearly crashed. U.S. officials told NBC News that early indications suggest the suspect acted alone, while Reuters reported the suspect intended to crash into Ben‑Gurion Airport before being subdued. Vice President JD Vance said intelligence has not verified Iranian involvement.
Trump Says He Believes Iran Was Behind Foiled Flydubai Hijacking; Investigators Have Not Confirmed
President Donald Trump speaks with media before boarding Marine One as he travels to Grand Island, Nebraska, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., US, October 5, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump told reporters on Oct. 5 that he personally believes Iran was responsible for a recently foiled terrorist attack on a Flydubai flight, even though investigators have not publicly confirmed any Iranian or other foreign government involvement.
President Asserts Iranian Link
When asked whether he thought Iran was behind the failed attack, Trump replied,
"I do. I personally do."He did not cite any specific evidence to support that assertion.
Ongoing International Investigation
The United Arab Emirates is leading an international probe into the Sept. 30 incident in which pilot Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft carrying 170 passengers. The flight was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
What Officials Are Saying
Hours before the president's comments, Vice President JD Vance said U.S. intelligence officials had not verified Iranian involvement. "That's something that I defer to (CIA Director) John Ratcliffe and some of the intelligence folks on," Vance said, adding that he had not seen anything conclusive yet.
Yaniv Hayun, one of the men who helped incapacitate the attacker on the FlyDubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, reacts after arriving at the Ben Gurion International Airport, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026.
Israeli authorities have said the suspect is from Oman but have not released his identity. Several U.S. officials briefed on the investigation told NBC News that early indications point to a lone actor rather than a coordinated foreign operation.
Reports on Motive and Plan
Reuters, citing sources familiar with the UAE investigation, reported the suspect intended to crash the hijacked plane into Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv before he was overpowered by his co-pilot, cabin crew and passengers. Reuters also reported that the same suspect had previously planned — but ultimately abandoned — an attempt to hijack and crash another Tel Aviv–bound flight earlier this year.
Warnings and Wider Context
On Oct. 1, Trump warned that Iran would be "hit very hard" if it is determined to have been behind the Flydubai incident. Asked last week whether the suspect is linked to Iran, Trump said, "I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now."
The article notes broader tensions between the United States and Iran, referring to ongoing hostilities after strikes ordered earlier in the conflict. Officials say determinations about foreign involvement are still under investigation.
Attribution
Reporting contributions: Reuters. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
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