UAE Official: Growing Assessment Points to Iran Behind Hijacking Attempt

A senior official from the United Arab Emirates stated that while absolute certainty has not yet been reached, the intelligence assessment increasingly indicates that Iran was behind the attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight FZ1073. The official revealed a significant regional security cooperation where the Omani co-pilot, who subdued the attacker, will be transferred to the UAE for joint interrogation by Emirati, Saudi, and Israeli authorities. The investigation, moving from Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, to the UAE, will focus on the co-pilot's background, communications, and connections to determine if he acted alone or was directed by external actors.

Meanwhile, the Indian captain, Smith Machchar, who was injured during the incident, has already been moved from a Saudi hospital to the UAE for further treatment. The co-pilot, whose actions prevented the hijacking and saved the lives of 174 Israelis, is expected to be questioned by investigators from all three nations.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that information reaching him suggests a direct Iranian link, stating, "Based on what I'm hearing, the answer is yes, but we are dealing with it and looking into it." He also issued a direct military threat to Tehran, warning of severe consequences if Iran's involvement is proven and emphasizing the connection between Iran's fate and that of its proxy organizations like Hezbollah.