Saudi Arabia and US Back Israeli Assessment of Flight Incident as Terror Attack

Saudi Arabia and the United States have publicly aligned with Israel's assessment that a recent incident aboard a Flydubai flight was a planned terrorist act. A Saudi official briefed on the investigation and a senior US official revealed to NBC News that initial findings strongly suggest the stabbing and dive incident on flight FZ1073 was a deliberate terror operation. While the motive and ultimate perpetrators are still under intense investigation, the Saudi spokesperson for the embassy in the US, Al-Yahya, confirmed that investigators are examining potential links to Iran or its Houthi proxies in Yemen, with further clarification expected within 24 hours. A senior US official involved in the Israeli investigation noted that while the evidence points to an attempted attack by the co-pilot, an Omani national, there is no direct proof of Iranian command, and the possibility of the attacker acting alone under extremist ideology is also being considered. New details emerged about the terrifying moments during the incident, with flight data showing the Boeing 737 plunged over 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds following a struggle in the cockpit. Passengers reported screams and panic, but a major disaster was averted thanks to the actions of the injured Indian captain, Samit Macher, who managed to open the cockpit door, and four passengers, including Israeli Yanniv Hayoun, who subdued the Omani suspect and regained control of the aircraft, landing safely in Tabuk. The suspect remains in custody in Saudi Arabia, and Flydubai is awaiting official investigation results before releasing its own conclusions.