US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Tehran was likely involved in an attack by a pilot on a flydubai flight to Israel and that Iran would be "hit very hard" if it was.

The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain before passengers managed to save the plane from crashing. Israel's prime minister said the man had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination."

"I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes but we're working on it right now," Trump said when asked by reporters at the White House whether Iran was involved in the incident on the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

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Saudi Arabia's interior ministry said Thursday that the flydubai co-pilot, suspected of an attack stopped by the captain and passengers on a flight bound for Israel, has been transferred from the kingdom to the United Arab Emirates.

The plane's captain and the co-pilot "after their health improved and the medical team cleared them, left the Kingdom heading to Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning... accompanied by the Emirati security team", the ministry said in a statement, adding that the initial investigation showed the co-pilot attacked the captain. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation. "We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination," he said. He added that this came from the man's "personal information", but gave no further details. "That appears to be something we're gathering from his personal information," he said.

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The Ministry of External Affairs has lauded the courage of Captain Smit Machchhar.

"We continue to closely follow the health condition of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and the brave pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ 1073. After receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery. Our Ambassador in the UAE met Captain Machchhar in the hospital and enquired about his well-being. Earlier, he also met his family and assured all possible support for the Captain's health and well-being. Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are in close touch with the local authorities in the matter. We once again salute Captain Smit Machchhar's valour and courage. We also convey our deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry," it said in a statement.

The co-pilot who stabbed the captain on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight, in an alleged attempt to hijack or crash the plane, is an Omani national, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in an interview with NDTV on Thursday. He termed it a "jihadist terror attack", added that there's no evidence yet, but claimed that the main motive was to derail Israel-UAE ties and the Abraham Accords.

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The Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited the injured pilot whose heroics saved the lives of over 170 passengers.

"Ambassador Deepak Mittal visited Captain Smit Machchhar and his family at the hospital. Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well. The Embassy remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well-being," the Embassy wrote on X.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that the motive behind the attack is to derail Israel-UAE ties and the Abraham Accords. He said there is no evidence against Iran or other terror groups yet. "India-Israel's fight against terrorism shows the world must unite against terror," he added.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has confirmed that the attacker was an Omani national. He told NDTV that his country will seek his extradition from the UAE.

The Gujarat government will honour Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who fought his co-pilot, who tried to crash the flydubai plane.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that the state government will honour the pilot with the 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award' for his bravery and courage in saving the lives of 174 passengers.

"The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of the flight headed to Israel, is being saluted by the entire world today. Despite being drenched in blood due to the attack, he displayed indomitable bravery to save the lives of 174 passengers-a feat that is profoundly inspiring and commendable," he wrote on X in Gujarati.

The probe into the co-pilot who tried to crash the flydubai flight will be conducted by Saudi Arabia. After the initial probe is completed, he will be handed over to the UAE, the Times of Israel reported.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed it is "following up" on the circumstances surrounding the "flydubai" flight FZ1073. The plane was heading from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv when a fight broke out inside the cockpit, and the co-pilot stabbed the pilot. Passengers subdued the co-pilot, and the plane landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in a statement that Counsellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi, Attorney General of the Union, ordered the formation of a team comprising specialists from the Public Prosecution to investigate the circumstances of the incident, determine its details and causes, and establish the facts. This follows an announcement by flydubai concerning an altercation inside the cockpit during the flight, which required members of the company's crew onboard the aircraft to intervene and secure the cockpit," the country said in a statement.

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who saved flydubai flight from crashing, has been airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Dubai.

In the hours since the report of an alleged terror attack aboard a mid-air Flydubai flight to Israel emerged, one question keeps coming up: how was a pilot able to access a weapon inside the cockpit to leave his colleague seriously injured, causing the plane to plummet dangerously and forcing it to land in Saudi Arabia? The details are still emerging, but initial reports claimed the Omani co-pilot used a knife -- possibly from the aircraft cutlery-- to stab the Indian pilot, identified as flight captain Smit Machchhar. 

But now, the investigation has revealed that the alleged attacker did not smuggle in a knife or any external weapon into the cockpit. Instead, he might have used a 'crash axe', or a fire axe that's kept inside the aircraft's cockpit, to violently attack his colleague, according to a report by CBS News. READ MORE HERE

The survival of the flydubai flight that dived suddenly from 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute and a half, with the co-pilot trying to kill the pilot was nothing short of a miracle.

flydubai flight FZ1073 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia following the incident in which Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was critically injured.

Now, the horrifying, sudden descent of the aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX, which would have put extreme stress on its airframe can be seen in an animation. The animation shows the extreme danger the aircraft faced when it dived and reached supersonic speed. WATCH HERE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated his praise for flydubai's Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, saying he prevented a "9/11-like tragedy" - what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier said.

"The incident that occurred yesterday, Captain Smit of India demonstrated remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage; indeed, as the Prime Minister of Israel stated today, an Indian prevented a 9/11-style tragedy," he said while addressing a crowd at Bharat Mandapam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the wife and parents of Captain Smit Machchhar, the flydubai pilot who fought off a co-pilot's hijacking attempt, sources told NDTV.

PM Modi also assured them that the Indian missions are providing all possible to the them.

SpiceJet, the airline where flydubai Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar had earlier worked, praised him for his "heroic courage".

"Our heartfelt prayers and deepest respect go out to Captain Smit Machchhar for his heroic courage aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073. Your heroism saved countless lives today," it wrote on X.

The airline further added, "Captain Smit worked at SpiceJet for more than 10 years. His courage and selfless actions are a true embodiment of the values we hold dear at SpiceJet. His SpiceJet family joins millions across the country and around the world in wishing him a complete and swift recovery."

"You are a hero to us all, Captain," it said.

President Droupadi Murmu has praised Captain Smit Machchhar, flydubai's Indian pilot who fought off his co-pilot for attempting to crash the aircraft.

"The nation is proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. His heroic courage and incredible presence of mind have deeply touched us all. Even after being seriously injured in a moment of grave peril, he remained determined to protect the lives of others. His bravery and quick response helped prevent a major tragedy and saved many precious lives. I salute his indomitable spirit. I pray for his speedy recovery and good health," she wrote in a post on X.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called flydubai's Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, a "brave son of Gujarat origin" who had made the "country proud".

"Gujarat and the entire nation are immensely proud! The indomitable courage and valour displayed by Captain Smit Machchhar in the skies is truly unimaginable. Despite being seriously injured, he fought back against the attacker, averting a major tragedy and saving the lives of 174 passengers. He is a proud Indian, and Gujarati blood flows in his veins - a true reflection of our resilience and courage," he wrote in a post on X.

Patel added, "This brave son of Gujarati origin has made the entire country proud on the global stage. I salute his extraordinary heroism and pray for his speedy and complete recovery."
 

Flydubai's full statement on halting flights to and from Israel after hijacking attempt:

Following the incident involving flight FZ 1073 on 30 September, and in coordination with the relevant authorities, flydubai flights to and from Israel will be suspended while the investigation continues.

This temporary suspension will allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts surrounding the incident.

The safety and wellbeing of our passengers, crew and operations remain our highest priority. This temporary suspension will allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts surrounding the incident.

We remain in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders and will review the suspension as more information becomes available.

We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and maintaining the highest safety standards across our network.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar praised Machchhar for his "extraordinary courage".

"Captain Smit Machchhar's extraordinary courage and remarkable presence of mind, even in the face of grave danger, saved hundreds of lives yesterday and averted a major tragedy. Join the countless voices from across the world in saluting his valour and praying for his speedy recovery," he said.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has said that the Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed while fighting off co-pilot's hijack bid, is in a "stable condition".

"Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention. A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition. We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest," it said in a post on X.

The embassy added, "We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing."

The family of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar who was stabbed by co-pilot in the flydubai flight has reached Saudi Arabia.

Machchhar is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Saudi's Tabuk.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised "hero" Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for fighting off his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai aircraft, saying India is "proud of him".

"Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar," PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

PM Modi further prayed for Machchhar's "speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health". READ MORE HERE

The Indian Embassy in France, in a post on X, paid tribute to the Indian pilot who fought off the co-pilot who allegedly tried to sabotage the plane's systems.

"Tribute to the Indian pilot, Commander Smit Machchhar, for his extraordinary courage. Although stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, opened the cockpit door, and helped the passengers and crew subdue the attacker, thereby preventing a catastrophe in mid-flight and saving 174 lives. We all pray for his speedy recovery," it wrote in a post on X.

India's Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah on Wednesday said they were closely monitoring the health condition of Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, who was injured after helping avert a major in-flight crisis that led to the aircraft being diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement posted on X, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said both Indian missions in Saudi Arabia had been following developments related to Captain Machchhar's medical condition.

According to the embassy, the pilot is currently admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and is receiving necessary medical treatment.

The mission said it was awaiting a detailed update on his health, but initial reports indicated he was stable.

US President Donald Trump said he spoke to Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday after the pilot of an Israel-bound flight was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot, adding that the motive behind the incident remained unclear.

UAE airline flydubai announced it was suspending flights to and from Israel until an investigation into an altercation on a diverted flight on Wednesday could be investigated. 

"Following the incident involving flight FZ 1073 on 30 September, and in coordination with the relevant authorities, flydubai flights to and from Israel will be suspended while the investigation continues," read a statement from a flydubai spokesperson.

(AFP)

At a press conference on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that while initial reports out of the Middle East were conflicting, American intelligence indicates no immediate danger to the domestic homeland.

Mullin emphasised that authorities take incidents like this very seriously and are actively reviewing current security protocols to ensure the safety of the American public.

The passengers from the diverted flydubai flight have now reached Tel Aviv. The medical teams at Ben Gurion Airport, are at the airport with ambulances to meet the passengers arriving in Israel from Saudi Arabia.

If necessary, medical aid will be provided to the passengers, Israel's official national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service said on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a passenger and a crew member intervened in the cockpit to "neutralise" a pilot who attempted to compromise aircraft systems on a commercial flight heading to Israel.

He said that the flydubai pilot who stabbed the co-pilot is now in Saudi custody and is being questioned.

A passenger called Daniel told Channel 12 that he heard a struggle from the cockpit. He said that since the cockpit door was ajar, he saw that someone attempted to push another person out. After that, the plane went into a steep dive while spinning intensely.

"It felt like, that's it. It's over. September 11 is happening again", Daniel said.

A replacement flydubai flight has landed at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia to pick up the passengers stranded after the cockpit emergency earlier today. Most of the passengers are Israeli and are headed back to Tel Aviv.

One of the pilots of the Israel-bound flydubai flight diverted on Wednesday attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane to kill everyone, a passenger said.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said the plane was "pretty much out of control" when the stabbing took place over Jordan on the flight's path from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

"The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane," she told reporters by speakerphone held up by her mother who was waiting at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

(AFP)

Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Airport said it declared state of emergency after receiving distress call from flight. The airport in a statement said that it is coordinating with flydubai to arrange for a replacement aircraft.

After the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, the two pilots who had sustained injuries, were hospitalised.

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said that the alleged attack aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv shows that Israel must intensify its military campaigns across the region.

"Thank God and the heroic passengers, but Israel's security doctrine must be taken to the next level," Gvir said, adding that "we must not stop and must continue until achieving total victory in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and Judea and Samaria," referring to the biblical name for the West Bank.

"The naive notion that our enemies cherish life and that we should pity them received another reminder this morning in the form of a terrorist who planned to crash a plane and murder the 180 Israelis on board," Gvir added.

One of the pilots of an Israel-bound flydubai flight tried to kill his co-pilot before the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a passenger's mother told AFP.

Yasmin Abukasis, whose daughter Miryam was on the flight to attend a service for her brother killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, said her daughter told her by telephone after landing that everyone "thought they were going to die".

"She said one pilot tried to kill the other pilot with a knife. They heard shouting, 'Help, help!' And one woman with three children went to the (cockpit) and saw a lot of blood," she said as she waited at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

(AFP)

The flight’s pilot and co-pilot have been hospitalised in Saudi Arabia after sustaining injuries, according to a statement by Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport.