Jerusalem: US President Donald Trump said Thursday that if Iran is linked to the co-pilot who tried to crash an Israel-bound flight, the Islamic Republic would be struck 'very hard' over the attack that endangered more than 180 people aboard the jet.
Trump was asked by reporters at the White House whether he had been briefed about any links between the co-pilot behind the attack and Tehran.
“I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now,” Trump said. He did not elaborate on why he suspects Iran might be involved.
Asked if the US would retaliate against Tehran if it was behind the attack, Trump said, “Oh they'll be hit, very hard, don't worry.”
“You just ask them,” he added. “They know what happened. They'll be hit very hard.”
The remarks came as investigators continued to determine why the co-pilot stabbed the flight's captain, causing the flydubai plane to plummet before passengers and crew intervened and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
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The flight was carrying 182 people, mostly Israelis, from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar. Passengers intervened after the injured captain opened the cockpit door, helping to restrain the co-pilot and stabilise the aircraft.
A regional official briefed on the investigation said the suspect, an Omani citizen, was under arrest and that Saudi authorities were working with Israel, the UAE, the United States and Oman to determine a motive.
“All possible scenarios, from terrorism to mental disorders, are being looked into. Nothing is ruled out for now,” the official said.
Saudi Arabia has handed the co-pilot over to the UAE, which has begun its own investigation, including whether the attack was linked to any terrorist purpose.
Israeli intelligence and security officials were in Saudi Arabia to help investigate the co-pilot, another regional official said. Israel has requested that the suspect be sent to Israel for the investigation, though it was unclear if that request would be granted.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed the co-pilot underwent Islamist indoctrination but said it was too early to say whether he was linked to Iran.
The co-pilot has not been publicly identified. Machchhar was recovering in Abu Dhabi and was out of danger, the Indian government said Thursday.
The aircraft descended from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute before making an erratic circle near the Jordanian border and landing in Tabuk, according to Flightradar24.
