Washington [US], August 12 – US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he secretly switched aircraft while returning from last month’s NATO summit in Türkiye after security officials warned of a potential threat to his safety.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during a visit to Ohio on Tuesday, Trump said the US Secret Service and military advised him to change flights and aircraft. “They told me I had to go on a different flight and a different plane. I do what they tell me,” he said.
Although television cameras showed Trump boarding Air Force One on July 8 at Ankara Airport he was later covertly transferred to another military aircraft using a catering truck positioned on the opposite side of the plane, according to The Washington Post.
US officials told CBS News they had identified a credible threat that Iran could target Trump’s aircraft with a missile. The New York Times also reported that US intelligence received information about an individual carrying a shoulder-fired missile near the NATO summit venue.
Journalists and White House staff traveling with the president were reportedly unaware of the covert operation which was designed to shield Trump from the suspected Iranian threat.
The aircraft switch took place a day after the US resumed military strikes against Iran following the collapse of talks aimed at ending the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
