Trump Blames Iran for Flydubai Hijacking Attempt; Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia
US President Donald Trump said he personally believes Iran was behind the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, after the co-pilot attacked the captain. Israeli sources said fighter jets were scrambled and prepared to shoot the plane down before it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot, an Omani national, confessed he wanted to "avenge Gaza." Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed attacks on Riyadh airport and Saudi Aramco sites. Israeli intelligence also warned Hamas is intensifying efforts to organize a complex attack or kidnapping operation around the October 27 elections. Israel was reportedly ready to down the aircraft under an 11 September-style protocol, with the decision to shoot it down resting with the prime minister. Separately, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan agreed to activate a joint defense pact to deploy military forces in the kingdom amid the Houthi escalation.