UAE Official Calls Flydubai Crash Attempt 'Dangerous Terrorist Act'

Two days after a Flydubai flight en route from the United Arab Emirates to Israel experienced an attempted crash by its co-pilot, and one day after the investigation was transferred to Abu Dhabi, Anwar Gargash, an advisor to the UAE President, has for the first time labeled the incident a "dangerous terrorist act." Gargash praised the pilot, stating he "embodied the true meaning of courage and responsibility" in the face of a "dangerous terrorist act and possible disaster." He added that the pilot's professionalism and moral integrity under the most challenging circumstances made him a true hero. The Emirates are classifying the attempted plane crash as an attack. This statement from the senior Emirati official follows the transfer of the pilots from flight FZ 1073 of Flydubai, including the Omani pilot who attempted to crash the plane, from Saudi Arabia to the UAE. Israel is preparing to send an investigation team to the Emirates to interrogate the perpetrator. Contrary to statements by President Trump, the current assessment in Israel is that Iran is not involved in the attempt to crash the plane, though Iranian involvement has not been entirely ruled out. President Trump had previously stated, when asked about potential Iranian involvement, "From what I hear, the answer is yes."