Tel Aviv - Dubai: According to investigators, the co-pilot of the FlyDubai plane planned a suicide attack on Tel Aviv Airport

Investigations revealed that the co-pilot had used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to familiarize himself with the flight route and the airport, it said. The man moved to FlyDubai in January 2026 and previously worked for Oman Air, among others.

The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv last Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot. According to Emirati information, he attacked him with a rescue axe. Despite serious injuries, the pilot was able to open the cockpit door, whereupon passengers entered and overpowered the attacker. A second crew landed the plane, which sank heavily during the attack, in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was brought to the Emirates and, according to Israeli information, comes from Oman.

US media reported a few days ago that the co-pilot had been fired from his previous job at an airline in Oman due to safety concerns. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, wrote that the man had previously been banned from flying by Oman. The reason for this was the fear that he had radical ideological views. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he was indoctrinated into Islam.

What US officials say about Iran's role

US Vice President JD Vance recently said, when asked by a reporter about possible Iranian involvement, that it was being investigated. So far he hasn't seen anything clear about this.

When asked whether he thought Iran was responsible for the incident, US President Donald Trump said yes on Monday. He personally believes that, he told reporters.

Days ago, when asked about Iran's involvement, Trump said: "Based on what I hear, I would say: Yes." At the same time, however, he said that the matter was still being investigated.