Trump Links FlyDubai Hijacking to Iran, Admits War Could Cost Republicans Midterms
As a seven-month conflict with Iran deepens and Americans' opposition grows to record levels, the president suggests the co-pilot who attacked an Israel-bound flight was linked to Tehran—while privately acknowledging the unpopular war poses electoral risk.
President Trump said Thursday that the FlyDubai co-pilot who attacked the captain of an Israel-bound flight was likely linked to Iran 'based on what I'm hearing,' despite still investigating the incident. The co-pilot, an Omani national, stabbed the captain on September 30, forcing the Boeing 737 to divert to Saudi Arabia; passengers and crew subdued the attacker and landed the plane safely. Trump warned Iran would be hit 'very hard' if Tehran was responsible, adding 'They'll either sign a very fair deal, or they won't exist any longer.' Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said it was 'too early' to confirm an Iranian link, describing the attacker as someone who underwent 'Islamist radical indoctrination.'
Trump's Iran war—now seven months old and started alongside Israel in late February—has become deeply unpopular domestically. New polling shows 71% of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling Iran, and 69% say the war has not been worth fighting. Public opposition has grown from 48% in March to 58% by July. As fuel and food costs surge amid the conflict, Trump privately acknowledged the political threat. 'It's possible' the war could hurt Republicans in the November midterms, he told reporters Thursday, an admission that contrasts with his public defense of the campaign. Democrats, including Senate leader Chuck Schumer, have called for the war to end. Some Republican candidates have distanced themselves from Trump's approach, citing the conflict's economic toll.
How could this affect you
Traced by who's actually in the path of this — not everyone is.
Likely
U.S. voters and Republican candidates
Rising fuel and food costs linked to the Iran war are driving down Trump's approval and could swing House or Senate control in November. If the FlyDubai incident is confirmed as Iranian-linked, Trump's threatened retaliation could further escalate costs and voter anxiety weeks before the election.
Possible
U.S. military readiness
Trump has threatened to strike Iran 'very hard' if it is confirmed that Tehran was behind the FlyDubai attack. The U.S. is already deploying 9,000 sailors and Marines to the Middle East, and further escalation could stretch forces and reduce readiness elsewhere.
Likely
Oil and energy markets
Retaliation against Iran could disrupt Strait of Hormuz shipping or Iranian oil exports, pushing already-high energy prices higher just before the election. Voters already cite fuel costs as their top concern.
Sources
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