President Donald Trump said Thursday that initial information suggested an Iranian link to the co-pilot accused of attacking a Flydubai captain, and threatened retaliation if Tehran was behind the incident. “I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now,” he said when asked about a connection. Asked whether the US would retaliate if Iran was responsible, Trump replied: “They'll be hit very hard, don't worry.”

Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said its initial investigation indicated that the co-pilot assaulted the captain, and that both men left for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning after medical clearance. Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, landed safely in Tabuk on Wednesday after passengers and crew subdued the suspect and additional pilots aboard took control. The injured captain was identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar.

No Iranian role has been established. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Thursday it was too early to determine whether the Omani co-pilot had ties to Iran, though he said the suspect had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination.” The UAE is investigating possible terrorist activity, prior planning or direction and has urged the public to await its findings.