Trump Secretly Switched Planes After Iran Assassination Threat — Reports

US President Donald Trump was secretly transferred to a smaller military aircraft during his return from Turkey to Britain last month after a credible threat involving Iran, according to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times.

The incident occurred on July 8 after Trump attended a NATO summit in Ankara, where he had been expected to leave Turkey aboard the former Air Force One.

According to The Washington Post, Trump initially boarded the older Boeing 747 in view of television cameras but was later moved to a C-32A military aircraft before departure.

A US official told the newspaper that the change of aircraft was prompted by a credible threat involving Iran.

The New York Times also reported that efforts were made to conceal Trump’s actual location from journalists and some White House personnel travelling with him.

Before leaving Ankara, Trump had said he would use the older Air Force One for his journey to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in Britain, while the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar would also travel to the base.

Trump had flown to Turkey aboard the Qatar-donated aircraft, which was making its first international trip. The aircraft had attracted attention over its security upgrades and modifications.

Trump said he preferred to return aboard the older aircraft “for old time’s sake”.

However, according to the reports, the president was moved from the third aircraft to the older Air Force One shortly before departure.

The operation reportedly involved Trump using a different entrance to board the presidential aircraft before later appearing on its stairs, giving the impression that he had remained aboard throughout the journey.

Members of the travelling press pool were reportedly instructed to keep the window shades in their section closed during the flight. Some White House staff were also said to have believed that Trump remained aboard the aircraft.

When reporters later asked Trump why they had been told to keep the shades closed, he joked that they were “probably on a dangerous flight”.

“But if I go, you go. Right?” he added.

The C-32A carrying Trump reportedly arrived in Britain at about 10:20pm local time, while the older Air Force One and the travelling media arrived separately a few minutes later.

Trump later emerged from the older Air Force One at about 10:56pm, greeted US service members and gave reporters a peace sign before proceeding towards the Qatar-donated aircraft.

The reported security arrangement has been compared with an operation involving former US President Bill Clinton in 2000, when an unmarked executive aircraft was used to fly him into Pakistan while Air Force One served as a decoy.

Responding to questions about the reported operation, White House Communications Director Steve Cheung said security measures had been put in place because of threats against the president.

“As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats,” Cheung said.