Trump confirms secretly switching planes in Turkey after security officials warned of Iran threat

US President Donald Trump was secretly moved from an Air Force One aircraft to a smaller military jet after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) summit in Ankara, Turkey, following a security warning from the Secret Service and military officials.

Trump confirmed on Tuesday that security officials had advised him to use a different aircraft as he left Turkey. The revelation came after reports that US intelligence had identified a credible threat from Iran targeting Trump and potentially his aircraft.

According to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times, the security operation involved using the older Air Force One as a decoy while Trump was secretly flown to Britain aboard a US Air Force C-32A. The operation was kept secret from journalists and some White House staff travelling on the decoy aircraft.

Trump confirms secret aircraft switch

Trump acknowledged that he had been instructed to change planes because of security concerns.

“I go by Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go in a different flight, different plane,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday.

The disclosure provides new details about an aircraft switch that had initially been explained as a routine travel decision. Trump had earlier said he would fly the older Air Force One from Turkey “for old time’s sake”, while the newer aircraft donated by Qatar travelled separately to Britain.

Reports now indicate that the change was part of a much more elaborate security operation.

Catering truck used in covert transfer

Trump reportedly boarded the older Boeing 747 Air Force One in full view of cameras, creating the impression that he would leave Turkey on the aircraft.

Once inside, however, he was secretly moved out through the other side of the plane. An airport catering truck was positioned near an aircraft door and was reportedly used to transport Trump and members of his team across the tarmac.

He then boarded a smaller US Air Force C-32A, which carried him secretly to RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. The older Air Force One took off separately with White House staff, Secret Service personnel and journalists who were reportedly unaware that Trump was no longer aboard.

The two aircraft subsequently arrived in Britain only minutes apart. Trump was then reunited with the presidential aircraft before appearing in front of photographers and continuing his journey to the United States.

Iran threat sets secret security plan in motion

The covert operation reportedly followed intelligence indicating a credible threat from Iran or Iranian-linked groups against Trump and his aircraft.

CBS News had earlier reported that US officials had detected a credible threat involving a possible missile attack against Trump’s aircraft. The reported threat emerged while Trump was attending the Nato summit in Turkey, amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The reported threat also raised concerns about the security capabilities of the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar. The aircraft had been rapidly modified for presidential use but reportedly lacked some of the advanced defensive systems installed on the older Air Force One aircraft.

Decoy flight raises questions

The decision to use Air Force One as a decoy has sparked questions over the safety of the people who remained aboard the aircraft.

More than 100 White House staff members and journalists were reportedly on the plane and were not told that Trump had secretly left. Journalists were instructed to keep their window shades closed during the flight from Ankara, adding to the secrecy surrounding the operation.

The White House has defended the security measures, saying officials use every available protocol to protect the president from credible threats. The episode has nevertheless prompted calls for greater scrutiny over the decision to expose a decoy aircraft carrying staff and members of the press corps to a potentially dangerous situation.

The operation remained undisclosed for several weeks before details emerged in US media reports, turning what initially appeared to be a routine change of aircraft into a highly unusual presidential security operation.