Pilot averted potential catastrophe, says UAE top official as Trump sends Iran a warning

UAE top official Anwar Gargash lauded Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his "courage and responsibility" in preventing what the authorities described as a "serious terrorist incident". Machchhar, who was seriously injured during the attack on a flydubai flight headed to Tel Aviv from Dubai, is being treated in a UAE hospital after being airlifted to the country from Saudi Arabia where the plane had landed.

Anwar Gargash, speaking on X, stated that Machchhar's actions demonstrated bravery and moral conviction in dire circumstances, calling him a "true hero". Gargash also emphasized the importance of vigilance against future acts of extremism and terrorism, and advised against spreading conspiracy theories about the incident. Israel plans to begin repatriation flights on Friday to bring back stranded passengers, following the suspension of commercial travel between Israel and the UAE due to the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the co-pilot, an Omani citizen, had been subjected to "Islamist radical indoctrination", but has not provided evidence to support this assertion. He vowed that whoever sent the co-pilot would face severe consequences. US President Donald Trump also commented on the incident, stating that early information suggests a potential link to Iran, and warning that the United States would "hit them very hard" if Iranian agents were found to be responsible. Israeli and Emirati authorities are currently leading the investigation into the incident.