‘Too early to say’: Netanyahu refuses to confirm Iran link to flydubai plane incident

Jerusalem/IBNS-CMEDIA: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said it is “too early” to determine whether there was any Iranian involvement in the alleged attempt to crash a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight or to definitively classify the incident as a “terror attack.”

The remarks came after flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following a violent confrontation in the cockpit involving the two pilots.

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said investigators were still examining the incident and the identity and motives of the alleged attacker.

“It’s too early to say,” Netanyahu told Fox News when asked about possible Iranian involvement.

He added, “The attacking pilot is now being investigated in Saudi Arabia. I think he’ll be taken to the Emirates, where he comes from or at least where he flew off from and we will be following and possibly also participating in this investigation.”

Captain injured in cockpit confrontation

The incident reportedly began after the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. Machchhar, an Indian national and an experienced commercial pilot, sustained serious injuries during the confrontation.

The aircraft, which was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Passengers and crew members reportedly intervened after the cockpit door was unlocked. Israeli dentist Musaev Shota, who was aboard the aircraft, said he helped restrain the alleged attacker before treating the wounded captain and stopping his bleeding.

Machchhar was reportedly able to unlock the cockpit door despite his injuries before losing consciousness, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and assist in overpowering the alleged attacker.

The aircraft also underwent a dramatic descent during the confrontation before control was regained.

Investigation underway

The alleged attacker is currently being investigated in Saudi Arabia, according to Netanyahu. He said Israel would follow the investigation and could potentially participate in it.

The precise circumstances, motive and whether the incident had any connection to terrorism or Iran remain under investigation.

Netanyahu’s comments came as Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had described the incident as an “attempted jihadist terrorist attack”, while the prime minister cautioned that it was too early to draw definitive conclusions about the motive or any Iranian connection.