President Donald Trump temporarily switched planes while leaving Turkey during this month’s NATO summit after U.S. authorities identified a possible threat from Iranian proxy forces, according to The New York Times. The report, citing multiple people familiar with the matter, said the U.S. Secret Service advised Trump to stop using the newly donated Boeing 747-8 and depart on an older Air Force One instead.
Trump had arrived in Ankara on a new Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar. The aircraft, however, reportedly does not yet carry the same level of advanced defensive systems installed on the traditional Air Force One fleet. People familiar with the situation told the newspaper the threat was not aimed specifically at the Qatari-donated aircraft, but at Trump himself and any plane carrying him.
Trump had previously said the plane change was meant to let U.S. troops stationed in the United Kingdom tour the new aircraft, and denied that security concerns were involved. The New York Times said the decision was in fact tied to a security assessment. The White House said the plane is “fully capable of safely transporting the president” and added that it is scheduled for about one month of additional upgrades this fall. The report came as tensions between the United States and Iran remained elevated.
President Donald Trump switched aircraft while departing Turkey during this month’s NATO summit after U.S. officials identified a possible threat from Iranian proxy forces, The New York Times reported on July 25, citing multiple people familiar with the matter.
According to the report, Trump arrived in Ankara, Turkey, aboard a newly donated Boeing 747-8 from Qatar. That aircraft has not yet been fitted with the same level of advanced defensive systems used on the traditional Air Force One, the report said. After the threat was identified, the U.S. Secret Service advised Trump to leave on an older Air Force One instead.
People familiar with the matter said the threat was not specifically aimed at the Qatari-donated plane itself. Rather, it was directed at Trump and any aircraft carrying him. Trump had previously said the aircraft switch was intended to allow U.S. military personnel stationed in the United Kingdom to tour the new jet, and he denied that the move was related to security. The New York Times reported that the decision was actually tied to a security assessment.
The report added that the donated Boeing 747-8 is still expected to undergo upgrades to strengthen the security capabilities required for presidential transport. The White House said the aircraft is “fully capable of safely transporting the president” and said it will receive about one month of additional upgrades this fall.
The episode came as tensions between the United States and Iran continued to rise. According to the report, U.S. officials had previously received intelligence suggesting that Iran might be planning actions targeting Trump, and Washington has kept a high level of alert around threats to the president’s safety.
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