Trump says the Secret Service ordered the covert aircraft change after security officials assessed a potential threat linked to Iran.
US President Donald Trump has revealed that the Secret Service ordered a surprise change of aircraft during his departure from Turkey last month because of concerns about a potential Iranian threat.
Trump said the plane he was originally expected to use could have faced a “greater risk” and acknowledged that he does not trust Iran. His comments shed new light on an unusual security operation carried out after the NATO summit in Ankara.
According to reports, Trump initially boarded Air Force One in front of cameras, giving the impression that he would leave Turkey aboard the presidential aircraft. He was later transferred to a smaller C-32A military plane in a carefully concealed operation.
The transfer was reportedly carried out with the help of an airport catering truck, allowing security officials to move the president without drawing attention. Journalists and some White House personnel reportedly believed Trump was still aboard Air Force One.
Reporters were also instructed to keep their window shades closed during the operation, adding another layer of secrecy to the president’s departure.
Trump said he followed the Secret Service’s instructions and did not question the decision to change aircraft.
The incident highlights the heightened security concerns surrounding the US president amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran. It also demonstrates the extraordinary measures authorities can take to protect presidential movements when intelligence points to a potential threat.
The covert aircraft switch is now being viewed as one of the more unusual episodes of Trump’s presidential travel, particularly because the operation was designed to keep even members of the traveling press unaware of his actual location.
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