Iranian state-run Press TV reported on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly planned a “false flag” hijacking involving an Emirati aircraft. The outlet said the aim was to draw the United States into a new war with Iran. The report relies on an unnamed source and offers no evidence. The Israel Iran conflict is already tense, so the claim adds to a charged information environment.
Background: The Israel Iran Conflict and the flydubai Incident
Israel and Iran have been rivals since Iran’s 1979 revolution ended their earlier ties. Iran does not recognise Israel, and Israel sees Iran’s nuclear programme and its support for armed groups as a major threat. The Israel Iran conflict history includes years of shadow warfare, followed by direct attacks in 2024 and a 12-day war in June 2025, in which the US also struck Iranian nuclear sites.
The latest report relates to an incident on Wednesday, involving a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that was diverted to Saudi Arabia. Anadolu Agency reported that flydubai said “an altercation occurred in the flight deck.” The airline said crew members secured the aircraft before it landed safely, and Saudi authorities said all passengers and crew were safe.
Saudi airport authorities said both the captain and the first officer were injured and taken to hospital. Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Center has opened an investigation. Earlier, Netanyahu gave a different account, saying the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and tried to crash the plane, while accounts of the cause remain inconsistent.
Details: What Press TV Alleged
Press TV said a “well-informed regional source” told it that the flydubai incident was part of an Israeli plan. According to the source, Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates three days before the flight, with senior military and intelligence officials. The source claimed the operation was discussed and finalised there, and that officials from several Arab countries took part.
The source alleged that the plan was designed so that the incident could be blamed on Iran. The goal, it said, was to push US President Donald Trump into another war with Tehran. It also linked the alleged plan to Israeli politics, claiming Netanyahu worries about his coalition’s chances in the coming parliamentary election.
Press TV did not name the source or give evidence for any of these points. Anadolu Agency noted this clearly in its report. At the time of writing, there was no immediate comment from Israel, the UAE or the United States.
What Is Known About the Netanyahu UAE Visit
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu met Middle Eastern officials, including a Saudi representative, during a recent visit to the UAE. A senior Saudi official denied that any such meeting with Israeli officials took place, according to Reuters. Beyond this, details of the trip have not been independently confirmed in the sources reviewed.
This matters because the Press TV allegation depends on that trip. Without independent confirmation of what was discussed, the claim remains a claim. Readers should treat it with caution until credible evidence appears.
Quotes: What Each Side Is Saying
In a related Press TV article, Netanyahu and Israeli officials were said to have called the flydubai incident terrorism, and to have suggested Iran might be involved. Netanyahu reportedly said Israel would find out within days whether the co-pilot had links to Iran. Press TV’s commentary argues the opposite, calling the incident a manufactured pretext.
The anonymous source quoted by Press TV said Iran is closely watching US and Israeli moves. It described the supposed goal as dragging Trump into “a new quagmire.” Iran’s own government has not been quoted directly in the reports reviewed.
Impact: Why the Claim Matters
If the allegation were true, it would be extremely serious, but there is currently no public evidence for it. Even as an unverified claim, it shows how quickly information is being used in the Israel Iran conflict. Each side tends to frame events in ways that support its own position.
For the Gulf, the story is sensitive because it names the UAE and touches Saudi Arabia, where the plane landed. Both countries have tried to manage their ties with the US, Israel and Iran carefully. Any suggestion of involvement could strain relations or draw them into a dispute they want to avoid.
For global security, the main risk is miscalculation. A confused incident in the air, combined with sharp claims from rival governments, can raise tensions fast. Analysts often warn that false or unproven narratives make de-escalation harder.
Conclusion: What to Watch Next
The investigation by Saudi Arabia’s safety authority is the key step. Its findings could clarify what happened in the cockpit and whether any outside links exist. Israel, the UAE and the US may also respond to the allegations in the coming days.
Until then, the safest approach is to separate confirmed facts from claims. The flight incident is real and under investigation. The alleged false flag plot is unverified, and no new Israeli strike on Iran was reported in the sources reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the issue between Iran and Israel now?
The core issue is a long-running rivalry over security, Iran’s nuclear programme and regional influence. Israel says Iran’s nuclear work and its support for groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis threaten its existence. Iran says its programme is peaceful and accuses Israel of aggression and of backing attacks on its territory. Right now, tensions are high after the June 2025 war, and the flydubai incident has added a new dispute, with Iranian state media alleging a plot and Israeli officials raising the possibility of Iranian links. Neither claim has been proven publicly, and both are still being examined.
What was the conflict between Israel and Iran?
The conflict has gone through several stages. After 1979, Iran became openly hostile to Israel, and the two fought mostly through proxies, covert operations and cyber attacks. In April 2024, Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel after a strike on its consulate in Damascus, and further exchanges followed later that year. In June 2025, Israel launched strikes on Iran that began a 12-day war, and the US struck nuclear sites before a ceasefire. The conflict also involves proxy fighting in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Gaza. Each round has changed the balance but has not ended the underlying dispute.
Who is stronger, Israel or Iran?
It depends on how strength is measured. Israel has a technologically advanced air force, strong missile defence, a well-trained military and close backing from the United States. It is also widely believed to have nuclear weapons, though it does not confirm this. Iran has a much larger population and territory, a large stockpile of ballistic missiles and drones, and a network of allied groups across the region. The 2025 war showed Israel’s air strength, while also showing that Iranian missiles could still get through defences. Because both sides have different strengths and the situation keeps changing, there is no simple answer.
Notes for you (not part of the article):
- Sourcing: the allegation comes from Press TV, which is Iranian state media, via Anadolu Agency, Tribune and Tempo. The flight facts come from Anadolu and earlier Reuters-based reports. Please keep the “alleged” and “unverified” wording, because this is a serious claim with no evidence.
- Press TV: I did not treat Press TV’s own commentary as fact. The Netanyahu “terrorist” remark and the “within days” line come from a Press TV article, so they are labelled that way.
- Background: the Israel-Iran history, including the 2024 and June 2025 events, comes from general knowledge, not the search results. Please verify the dates before publishing.
- Your keywords: “Israel attacks Iran today” is handled by the line saying no new Israeli strike was reported in the sources reviewed.
- Quotes: only short quotes are used, in line with copyright limits.
- Originality: the article is in fresh wording, not copied from Tribune or Anadolu.
- Citations: if the citation markers do not copy into your CMS, remove them before pasting.
