Iran has rejected allegations linking it to an alleged hijacking attempt on a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, describing the claims as a “false flag” operation based on “fabricated evidence”. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed any suggestion of Tehran’s involvement in the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073. His remarks came as authorities in several countries investigate the background of the flight’s Omani co-pilot.
The plane suddenly plunged by around 14,000 feet during the incident, according to reports. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain al-Hammami. A second set of pilots who were travelling on the aircraft then took control of the flight and safely landed it in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The incident has raised further questions over how an Omani citizen was able to serve as co-pilot on a flight bound for Israel, given that Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Baghaei said attempts to link Iran to the flydubai incident, as well as a security scare at the RAF Fairford base in Britain, were based on fabricated evidence, Tasnim news agency reported.
UAE leads investigation into alleged ‘terrorist act’
The investigation has also widened beyond the UAE, with authorities in Australia and Israel examining al-Hammami’s background and his links to Australia, including how he came to be part of the flydubai crew, PTI reported, citing multiple media reports. The Australian Federal Police has confirmed that a counter-terrorism team is investigating his links to the country, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
UAE authorities said on Saturday that their initial findings indicated that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a “terrorist act”. The United Arab Emirates is leading the investigation into the incident.
