Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said it is too early to determine whether Iran was involved in an incident in which a pilot was stabbed during a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft reportedly plunged more than 17,000 feet, or around 5,200 metres, about two hours after departure on Wednesday. Passengers and crew intervened after the attack, overpowered the alleged assailant and helped restore control of the aircraft before it landed safely.

The pilot who was stabbed, Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, was injured during the incident and is reported to be in stable condition. Netanyahu praised Machchhar for his actions, describing him as a hero for resisting the attacker and helping create an opportunity for passengers and crew to intervene. Machchhar's actions have also drawn praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to reports on the incident.

Asked whether investigators had found any indication of Iranian involvement, Netanyahu said it was "too early to say". He also said the alleged attacker was being investigated in Saudi Arabia after the incident. The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, but no confirmed evidence linking Iran to the cockpit incident has been presented in the information available.

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Passenger Yaniv Hayun also helped restrain the alleged attacker after the situation escalated inside the aircraft. According to his account, he placed the man in a chokehold before other passengers joined him and helped pin him down. The intervention by passengers and crew allowed the flight to continue safely and prevented the confrontation in the cockpit from developing into a more serious aviation emergency.

The alleged attacker was arrested in Saudi Arabia following the incident. Netanyahu told Fox News that the suspect was expected to be transferred to the United Arab Emirates, where the flight had originated. The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the motive and whether there was any external involvement, remain under investigation.

The incident has brought attention to the actions of the flight crew and passengers during an in-flight emergency. Machchhar's condition remains stable, while authorities continue to investigate the attack and establish what led to the confrontation. Any possible connection to Iran remains unconfirmed, with Netanyahu specifically cautioning against drawing conclusions before the investigation produces further evidence.

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