A senior UAE official said there was a growing assessment that Iran was responsible for the attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, and that the suspected attacker would be questioned in the UAE by Emirati, Saudi and Israeli officials. “We are not 100% certain yet, but there is a growing assessment that Iran was responsible for the incident,” the official said.

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

No Iranian role has been established. President Donald Trump earlier Thursday said initial information suggested an Iranian connection and warned Iran would be “hit very hard” if it was responsible. The UAE investigation is examining possible terrorist activity, prior planning or direction. Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues.