US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face severe retaliation if investigators establish that Tehran was behind the attack on a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel.
The warning followed a dramatic incident in which the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft, forcing passengers and crew members to intervene.
The flight was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The injured pilots were taken to hospital, while the passengers were later flown to Israel. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump was asked whether Iran was involved in the incident.
“I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes but we’re working on it right now,” he said.
Asked whether the United States would retaliate if Iran was found to be responsible, Trump responded: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”
Trump’s comments came as tensions between Washington and Tehran remained high, with the US president taking an increasingly tough position on the wider conflict.
In an interview published by Time magazine, Trump also said it was “possible” that the United States could resume bombing Iran after next month’s US midterm elections.
“Yeah, I would do that. It’s possible,” Trump said when asked about renewed attacks.
He also repeated his earlier threat to “annihilate” Iran, arguing that such action could prevent further conflict.
“Because by annihilating Iran, we’ve created peace in the world. With Iran, I don’t think you could ever have peace,” he said.
The comments come more than seven months after the conflict began following US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Trump has maintained that the war is aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran also continues to exert control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy route that has remained at the centre of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the United States is preparing to increase its military presence in the Middle East. Reports said a third US aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and as many as 10,000 additional American service members could be deployed to the region by the end of November.
It remained unclear whether the Theodore Roosevelt would replace one of the two US aircraft carriers already operating in the region.
Trump had also told aides that he expected the US to resume bombing Iran by late November, according to reports.
The flydubai incident remains under investigation, and there has been no confirmed evidence establishing an Iranian role in the attack.
Source: AFP.
