Too Early to Link Iran to Flydubai Cockpit Attack

JERUSALEM, Oct 1: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday it was too early to determine whether Iran was involved in the incident aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Asked by Fox News whether there was any indication of Iranian involvement, Netanyahu replied, “Well, it’s too early to say.” He said the pilot accused of attacking the other pilot was being investigated in Saudi Arabia and could later be transferred to the United Arab Emirates, adding that Israel could possibly participate in the investigation.

Netanyahu said Iran has sought to target Israelis abroad and in Israel, and pointed to alleged plans by Iranian-backed groups including Hamas and Hezbollah to carry out attacks ahead of Israel’s elections. “We have clear evidence of that,” he said, while stressing that it was not yet known whether the Flydubai incident was connected to such a plan.

The Flydubai aircraft, carrying 174 people, was diverted to Tabuk after a violent cockpit incident in which an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain. The aircraft experienced a sharp descent before crew members and passengers helped regain control. Flydubai confirmed a cockpit incident but said the reasons and motives remained unknown, while UAE authorities opened an investigation.

The injured captain, Smit Machchhar, was taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia. The passengers were later flown to Israel on another Flydubai aircraft.