Trump vows to hit Iran ‘very hard’ if linked to flydubai attack

US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that Iran may have been responsible for an attack carried out by a pilot on a flydubai flight heading to Israel. In such an event, Iran would face "very hard" repercussions, according to the President. The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain before passengers managed to prevent the plane from crashing.

Israeli Prime Minister claimed that the individual had received Islamist radical indoctrination. Trump, when asked about Iran's involvement, said he believed it was likely but the investigation was still ongoing. He added, "Oh, they'll be hit very hard, don't worry."

Trump's warning of retaliation came as he adopted a more aggressive stance on the ongoing Iran conflict. He indicated in a Time magazine interview that he might resume bombing Iran after the US midterm elections next month, which are scheduled for November 3. Trump's approval ratings have been at near-record lows due to his Iran policy and rising living costs, largely driven by high oil prices.

He reiterated his threat to "annihilate" Iran, which he made during his United Nations General Assembly speech last week, despite previously declaring himself the "president of peace."

Despite Iran's control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz for over seven months following initial US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic, Trump maintains that the war is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The US is set to deploy a third aircraft carrier and up to 10,000 additional service members to the Middle East by the end of November, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It is unclear if the new carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, would replace one of the existing carriers already in the region. Trump told aides he anticipated resuming bombing by late November.