Stories
Netanyahu: Too Early to Link Iran to Flydubai Attack, Israel Joins UAE Probe
N
News18•01-10-2026, 07:34
Netanyahu: Too Early to Link Iran to Flydubai Attack, Israel Joins UAE Probe
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated it's "too early to say" if Iran was involved in the Flydubai flight incident.
- •Netanyahu confirmed Israel has been invited to participate in the investigation by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
- •The Flydubai aircraft, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an incident triggered emergency signals, including code 7500 for unlawful interference.
- •The incident involved Indian captain Smit Machchhar being attacked by his co-pilot in the cockpit, but he resisted and helped overpower the attacker.
- •Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Captain Smit Machchhar as a "hero" for his courage in averting a major tragedy.
Key Questions Answered
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that it is "too early to say" whether Iran had any involvement in the incident aboard the Israel-bound Flydubai flight, noting that Tel Aviv has been invited to participate in the investigation.
The aircraft traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv triggered emergency signals, transmitting emergency code 7700 before switching to 7500 to indicate unlawful interference like a hijacking, and was eventually diverted to land safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Smit Machchhar was the Indian captain of the Flydubai flight who was seriously injured in a cockpit attack by his co-pilot, but managed to resist the attacker, open the cockpit door, and help save lives, earning him praise as a "hero" from PM Modi.
