President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran may have been connected to the attempted terror attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, including the possibility that the Omani co-pilot was trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy whether he had been briefed on a possible connection between Iran and the co-pilot who stabbed the flight’s captain, Trump said the matter is actively being investigated.

“We’re working on it. Right now they’re being very open with us. I would say the answer based on what I’m hearing is yes,” Trump said.

Doocy then specifically asked whether the attacker could have been trained by the IRGC.

“Could have been,” Trump responded.

Trump’s comments represent a significant development in the investigation, although no Iranian or IRGC involvement has been publicly established. The UAE announced Thursday that its investigation is examining whether the attack had any connection to terrorist activity, prior planning or outside direction.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said Thursday morning that investigators had determined the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination, but cautioned that it remained too early to determine whether he had connections to Iran.

Netanyahu told Fox & Friends that authorities expect to learn considerably more as the investigation progresses.

The attack unfolded Wednesday aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when the Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain and allegedly attempted to crash the Boeing 737 MAX carrying more than 170 people. The wounded captain managed to open the cockpit, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker before reserve pilots aboard the aircraft took control and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel are continuing to investigate the attacker’s background, motive and whether anyone else was involved.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)