US officials determined there was a credible threat from Iranian proxy forces targeting President Trump in Turkey, prompting him to switch aircraft before departing, according to a New York Times report cited by the Guardian.
Key facts
- A New York Times report says Trump switched planes before leaving Turkey earlier this month.
- US officials reportedly identified a credible threat from Iranian proxy forces targeting Trump and Air Force One.
- The threat surfaced while Trump was attending the Nato summit in Ankara.
- Trump had arrived on the new Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8, which lacks the advanced defensive systems of the older Air Force One.
- He flew home on the older Air Force One.
President Donald Trump switched aircraft before departing Turkey earlier this month after US officials determined there was a credible threat from Iranian proxy forces targeting him and Air Force One, according to a new report from the New York Times cited by the Guardian.
The threat surfaced while the US president was attending the Nato summit, which was being held in Ankara, according to the report.
Trump had arrived in Ankara onboard a new Boeing 747-8 that had been donated by Qatar. According to the report, that aircraft does not have the same advanced defensive systems as the older Air Force One, a point Trump himself has acknowledged.
Because of the concerns over the aircraft’s defenses and the reported threat, Trump flew home on the older Air Force One rather than the Qatari-gifted jet.
The Guardian attributes the account of the plane switch and the threat assessment to the New York Times. The details available describe the sequence of events around the Nato summit and Trump’s travel to and from Turkey.
Why it matters
Threats against a sitting US president raise significant security and diplomatic concerns, particularly when tied to Iranian proxy forces during an international summit. The reported switch also highlights questions about the defensive capabilities of the Qatari-donated aircraft compared with the established Air Force One.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Trump switch planes in Turkey?
According to the New York Times report cited by the Guardian, US officials determined there was a credible threat from Iranian proxy forces targeting Trump and Air Force One, prompting the switch before he departed.
What aircraft did Trump arrive on?
He arrived in Ankara aboard the new Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8, an aircraft that Trump has acknowledged does not have the same advanced defensive systems as the older Air Force One.
When did this happen?
The reported events took place earlier this month while Trump was attending the Nato summit in Ankara, according to the report.