Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Trump Says Iran Was Behind Flydubai Attack; Tehran Denies Claims
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when its co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe.
The plane dropped sharply, but the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and off-duty crew members helped restrain the co-pilot.
The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
UAE officials said they were investigating the incident as an attempted terrorist act.
US President Donald Trump said he personally believed Iran was responsible.
Iran denied any connection and called the accusation fabricated.
Investigators had not confirmed an Iranian link or the attack’s motive.
Reports also differ about how many people were aboard and how quickly the plane descended.
Donald Trump said he personally believed Iran was responsible for the September 30 incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, but no independently established Iranian link was reported.
UAE authorities said Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with an axe and tried to take control of the aircraft.
The plane, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, descended sharply; reports differ on how quickly it lost about 16,000 feet and whether 180 or 182 people were aboard.
Machchhar, passengers and off-duty crew members helped restrain the co-pilot, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Iranian spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei rejected the allegations as a false-flag claim based on fabricated evidence; the UAE investigation into motive and possible links continued.
- Who
- Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar; Donald Trump said he believed Iran was responsible, while Iranian spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei denied a link.
- What
- An alleged cockpit attack and attempted takeover aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 led to a sharp descent and emergency diversion.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 30, 2026; the articles report Trump’s remarks and Iran’s response on or around October 4-5.
- Where
- Aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the plane diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The motive and any possible outside links remained under investigation.
Iran’s denial
Trump’s accusation and UAE inquiry
Possible Iranian involvement
Iran’s denial
Esmaeil Baqaei called claims linking Iran to the incident a false-flag operation based on fabricated evidence.
Trump’s accusation and UAE inquiry
Donald Trump said he personally believed Iran was responsible, but the reports said no independently established Iranian link had emerged.
Purpose of the allegations
Iran’s denial
Baqaei alleged that Israel and some European countries were trying to divert attention from Gaza and their actions against Iran.
Trump’s accusation and UAE inquiry
UAE authorities said they were investigating the co-pilot’s alleged attempted terrorist act, including its motive and any possible links; they had not publicly established those links in the reports.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Incident date
- September 30, 2026
- Alleged attack
- UAE authorities said the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe and attempted to take control
- People aboard
- Accounts differ: one reports 180 occupants and another reports 182 people
- Descent
- Reports describe a loss of about 16,000 feet, but differ on the timing: around 30 seconds or within two minutes
- Emergency landing
- The plane diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; reports say all aboard were safe or disembarked without injury
- UAE investigation
- The UAE Attorney-General described the incident as an attempted terrorist act; motive and possible links remained under investigation
- Competing claims
- Trump said he personally believed Iran was responsible; Iran rejected the accusation, and no independently established Iranian link was reported
Sources
'False-Flag Operations': Iran Rejects Claims Linked to Flydubai Stabbing Incident, Accuses Israel of Fabricating Evidence
Trump 'personally' believes Iran behind Flydubai terror attack
Trump Says Iran Responsible for Flydubai Attack
