Reports: Trump secretly switched planes to avoid Iranian threat

Donald Trump reportedly changed his aircraft in a covert operation while leaving a NATO summit in Turkey last month to protect against a potential Iranian threat. The Washington Post, citing its own sources, reported that Mr Trump initially boarded the presidential aircraft in front of television cameras before being transferred to a military plane via a catering truck—a move that remained unknown to some journalists and White House staff on board. US officials told CBS News, a BBC partner, that the US had identified a credible threat regarding a potential Iranian missile strike against the President's plane. The White House has not confirmed the secret transfer. Mr Trump had previously stated during the Ankara summit that he was Iran's "number one target". On 8 July, Mr Trump arrived in Turkey on a new Boeing 747-8 gifted to the US by Qatar, but announced he would return on the older Air Force One for "old times' sake". Video footage showed him boarding the presidential plane at Ankara airport. According to the Washington Post, Mr Trump was then transferred to a smaller C-32A aircraft via a catering truck raised to cabin height on the opposite side of the plane. This aircraft, a modified Boeing 757, is typically used for the Vice President. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth boarded the C-32A separately via external stairs to make the flight process appear routine. Journalists and some White House staff on the older Air Force One were reportedly instructed by officials to keep their window shades down and were unaware the President was no longer on board. Mr Trump travelled to the UK on the C-32A before returning to the US. He disembarked the older plane after it landed at RAF Mildenhall, though it remains unclear how he was transferred back to it. He then switched to the Qatari-gifted plane to continue his journey to Washington. During the flight from the UK to the US, Mr Trump spoke to reporters about Iranian threats but did not mention the earlier plane swap. When asked why journalists were told to lower their window shades, he replied: "Because you're probably on a dangerous flight; because of the nasty people we have to deal with." He added that he always faces threats to his life and is "number one" on Iran's list. He then joked: "But if I go, you go, right? Maybe one day you'll want to change your job." White House communications director Steven Cheung neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but stated that the new Air Force One is an "advanced" aircraft equipped with security systems to protect the President and his staff. CBS News previously reported that US intelligence agencies had warned of a specific threat against Mr Trump or his aircraft. The New York Times had also reported security concerns regarding the Qatari-gifted plane, noting that the Secret Service had advised Mr Trump to switch aircraft when returning from the NATO summit. Following these reports, several New York Times journalists were subpoenaed to testify, and the US Department of Justice told the BBC it is investigating the unauthorised disclosure of information. The US has spent approximately $400 million over the past few months equipping the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 for presidential use. Sources told CBS News that the older Air Force One planes are equipped with laser technology to deflect incoming missiles, but it is unclear what systems the Qatari plane currently uses. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated the aircraft is "completely safe" for presidential travel, though further upgrades are scheduled for the autumn, involving a process of approximately one month.