Trump Blames Iran for Flydubai Attack Without Citing Evidence as US Rallies Regional Allies

US President Donald Trump said he personally believed Iran was responsible for the foiled attack aboard a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flydubai flight, without presenting evidence to support the allegation during his exchange with reporters on Monday.

His remarks came as the United States, Canada and eight Latin American and Caribbean countries issued a joint declaration pledging closer cooperation against alleged Iranian and proxy activities in the Western Hemisphere. The declaration did not mention the flydubai incident.

Speaking to reporters before leaving the White House, Trump also criticised Canada over trade and declined to set a timeline for resuming negotiations with Ottawa.

TRUMP POINTS TO IRAN OVER COCKPIT ATTACK

Asked whether he believed Iran was responsible for the September 30 attack aboard Flight FZ1073, Trump replied: “I do. I personally do.”

The president’s statement expressed his belief rather than announcing an investigative finding establishing Iranian involvement.

Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe in an attempt to bring down the aircraft. Despite serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew members to intervene and restrain the attacker.

The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The Times of Israel, citing Hebrew media reports, said on Sunday that al-Hammami had planned to crash the aircraft into a facility or a parked plane at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. According to those reports, he intended to incapacitate the captain, continue the flight normally and obtain landing clearance before carrying out the attack.

The reports said he was being interrogated in the United Arab Emirates.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar as a “hero of Israel, India, and the world”. The Israeli government has invited the pilot and his family to attend its Independence Day celebrations in 2027.

TEN COUNTRIES PLEDGE COOPERATION AGAINST IRAN-LINKED THREATS

Separately, a declaration published by the US State Department accused Iran and its proxies of lethal plotting, unlawful fundraising, political interference and foreign influence operations across the Western Hemisphere.

“We stand united in our determination to protect our countries and our people against such threats,” the governments said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies must halt these actions now.”

The signatories were the United States, Canada, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The statement followed the Countering Transnational Terrorism Forum, co-hosted by the US and Paraguay last month to strengthen law enforcement cooperation. It did not identify specific incidents, organisations or alleged plots.

The governments pledged further measures and closer coordination. Iran has consistently rejected Washington’s broader accusations about its overseas activities, accusing the US of using sanctions and military pressure to advance its geopolitical objectives.

‘NO RUSH’ TO RESTART CANADA TRADE TALKS

Canada’s participation in the security declaration came alongside continued friction with Washington over trade.

Asked whether negotiations would resume before the US midterm elections, Trump said he did not know and accused Ottawa of treating the United States unfairly.

“We caught them in the act; they charged us a lot of tariffs that nobody knew about except me. And it will work out eventually, but I don't know about -- I'm in no rush,” he said.

Trump did not identify the tariffs he was referring to or provide figures supporting his allegations.

“And all we ask of one thing in Canada, they have to be honest. They are not honest with the United States; they've been ripping us off for years,” he added.

He offered no timetable for restarting negotiations or specific conditions for their resumption.

With inputs from ANI