Netanyahu: Iran's Potential Role in Dubai Flight Incident To Be Revealed Soon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in interviews with CNN and Fox News that while there is no current information to confirm Iranian involvement in the attempted crash of a Flydubai flight, "we will know very soon" if the country was connected. He emphasized that Israel did not receive specific intelligence warnings about the incident.

Netanyahu confirmed that the co-pilot, an Omani citizen, is currently being investigated in Saudi Arabia and is expected to be transferred to the UAE for further questioning. He revealed that he spoke with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, who agreed to allow Israel to join the investigation. "Therefore, very soon we will find out if Iran had any connection to this, but I cannot say that before the investigation is completed," Netanyahu said.

In Israel, there is a growing assessment that the incident has nationalistic motives, though security officials have clarified there is no indication the co-pilot was directed by Iran. The current suspicion is that he acted alone, and the investigation is ongoing. Initial findings suggest the co-pilot attacked the main pilot and attempted to take control of the aircraft, but Israeli passengers and crew intervened to prevent the crash.

Netanyahu described the event as one where "they managed to prevent a disaster on the scale of September 11th," adding, "What distinguishes this event from other tragic attacks is that this time, the good guys won." Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Miri Regev is demanding a halt to Flydubai flights to Israel until the investigation concludes, although the Shin Bet has temporarily authorized Israeli airlines to operate flights to the Emirates.