The incident occurred on September 30 when a flydubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv was hijacked by a co‑pilot who attempted to seize the cockpit, forcing the flight crew and 170 passengers to subdue him before the plane landed safely.
Trump, when pressed by reporters, asserted that Iran was behind the attack, stating, "I personally do," but he offered no supporting evidence for the claim. The president's statement came as the U.S. intelligence apparatus was still gathering data.
Secretary J.D. Vance, who oversees homeland security, said he had not seen conclusive proof linking Tehran to the incident and that the matter was under review by the CIA and other intelligence agencies. He warned that the U.S. must be cautious about foreign pilots, citing the 9/11 tragedy as a reminder of the risks of inadequate vetting.
The United Arab Emirates is leading an international investigation, while the U.S. is reassessing its screening procedures for foreign aviation personnel. Officials expect a definitive assessment from the intelligence community by early next week, after which policy changes may be announced.