Donald Trump reportedly left a Nato summit in Turkey through a secret plane switch after US intelligence detected a credible Iranian threat against his aircraft, with the president hidden from view during the unusual operation.
US President Donald Trump secretly changed planes as he left Turkey last month after American intelligence detected a possible Iranian threat, US media reports say.
Trump had appeared to board Air Force One in front of television cameras at Ankara airport on 8 July.
But according to the Washington Post, he was later moved onto an elevated airport catering truck and taken to a smaller military aircraft waiting on another part of the airport.
The report said journalists and some White House staff were left on the original Air Force One and were told to close the plane’s window shades.
Officials told CBS News that the US had detected a credible Iranian threat to fire a missile at the president’s aircraft.
The White House has not directly confirmed that the plane was changed because of the threat.
Trump had earlier warned during the Nato summit that Iran considered him a major target.
“I’m number one on Iran’s list,” Trump told reporters later.
He also joked with journalists travelling with him, saying: “But if I go, you go, right?”
The secret operation reportedly involved a C-32A military aircraft, a modified Boeing 757 commonly used by the vice-president.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly boarded the smaller aircraft separately using external stairs to make the operation appear normal.
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Trump later travelled to the UK before returning to the older Air Force One and eventually boarding the newer aircraft donated by Qatar for his journey back to Washington.
White House communications director Steven Cheung did not confirm the reported plane swap but said the new Air Force One was equipped with advanced security measures.
The reports come amid wider concerns over Trump’s safety and the security of the new aircraft.
The Secret Service had previously raised concerns about the Qatari-donated plane, while the Justice Department is investigating leaks about security discussions.
It remains unclear exactly how Trump was moved between the aircraft or what specific intelligence triggered the secret operation.
