“They’ll be hit very hard” if linked to Flydubai attack: Trump’s warning to Iran
US President Donald Trump warns of severe military repercussions for Iran if intelligence links Tehran to the Flydubai aircraft attack.
United States President Donald Trump has issued a blistering warning to Tehran, stating that Iran will face massive consequences if intelligence confirms a connection between the nation and a violent onboard assault on a Flydubai passenger aircraft.
Speaking to journalists at the White House before departing for Texas, the President addressed growing concerns regarding whether the co-pilot involved in the Flydubai emergency had ties to Iran. While emphasizing that investigations are ongoing, Trump suggested that preliminary intelligence points toward an Iranian connection.
Intelligence Under Active Review
When pressed on whether the co-pilot involved in the incident might have been linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or had been radicalized through other means, Trump did not rule out the possibility.
“We're working on it right now. They're being very open with us. I would say the answer based on what I'm hearing is yes, but we're working on it right now,” Trump stated. He added that the possibility of the individual being stationed via the Revolutionary Guard or radicalized through alternative channels “could have been, yeah.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, the President stopped short of providing definitive, public proof connecting Tehran to the cockpit attack, noting that the matter remains under intense scrutiny.
A Threat of Severe Military Response
The most striking moment of the briefing came when Trump was asked if Washington would launch a military strike against Iran if evidence implicated the regime. His response was blunt and uncompromising.
“Oh, they'll be hit very hard. Don't worry. You just ask them. They know what happened. They'll be hit very hard,” Trump declared.
The President further underscored Iran's current vulnerabilities, citing a collapsing economy and military limitations. He noted that Iran is grappling with 301 per cent inflation, rendering their currency virtually valueless.
“Their economy is gone. They have no military. They have no anti-aircraft computers. They have very little going, and we control the strait,” Trump remarked, referring to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Control of the Strait and Nuclear Stance
Trump highlighted the United States' dominance in the region, claiming that petroleum shipments routed through the Strait of Hormuz have actually surpassed pre-conflict volumes. He asserted that the U.S. has managed to move more oil through the waterway in the last two days than at any other time in its history, including the period before the current conflict.
Regarding the future of the Iranian regime, Trump presented a stark ultimatum: “I tell you what... our Navy is incredible. Our military is incredible... Now I have to make a decision. They'll either sign a very fair deal or they won't exist any longer.”
He also reaffirmed the administration's hardline stance on nuclear proliferation, insisting that Tehran will be prevented from acquiring atomic capabilities. “They cannot have nuclear weapons and they won't have, and they're agreeing not to have,” he said.
The Flydubai Incident: What Happened?
The Flydubai incident involved a flight originating from Dubai and destined for Israel. The aircraft was forced to divert toward Saudi Arabian territory after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain in an attempt to down the plane.
The situation was only averted when the captain successfully unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene, subdue the attacker, and secure a safe landing. While multiple nations are currently conducting inquiries, no verified public records have officially confirmed Iranian complicity as of Thursday.