President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the United States would retaliate forcefully against Iran if the nation is found to be involved in an incident aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel. The incident reportedly involved a co-pilot assaulting the captain, with passengers intervening to prevent a crash.
When questioned by reporters at the White House regarding Iran's potential involvement, President Trump indicated that indications pointed towards Tehran's complicity. "I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes but we're working on it right now," he stated. Responding to a query about potential U.S. retaliation, Trump affirmed, "Oh, they'll be hit very hard, don't worry."
The President's strong stance on Iran follows recent remarks published by Time magazine, in which he suggested the possibility of resuming bombing operations against Iran after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. This comes amidst concerns within the Republican party regarding potential control of Congress in the November 3 election, influenced by President Trump's approval ratings concerning the ongoing conflict and rising living costs attributed to high oil prices.
President Trump also reiterated a previous threat to "annihilate" Iran, initially made during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, a statement that contrasts with his self-portrayal as a "president of peace." He told Time magazine, "Yeah, I would do that. It's possible. Because by annihilating Iran, we've created peace in the world. With Iran, I don't think you could ever have peace."
The U.S. is reportedly increasing its military presence in the Middle East, with plans to deploy a third aircraft carrier and an additional 10,000 service members by the end of November. The Wall Street Journal reported that it remains unclear if the USS Theodore Roosevelt will replace one of the two carriers currently stationed in the region. President Trump has reportedly informed his aides of his expectation to resume bombing operations by late November.
