Trump confirms covert aircraft switch after NATO summit amid Iranian threat
President Donald Trump has acknowledged that US security officials secretly transferred him to a different plane following the NATO summit in Turkey last month, prompted by intelligence warnings of a potential Iranian attack on the presidential aircraft.
Trump confirms covert aircraft switch after NATO summit amid Iranian threat
President Donald Trump has confirmed that US security officials covertly moved him to a different aircraft after the NATO summit in Ankara last month, following intelligence assessments of a credible threat linked to Iran.
The president disclosed that the Secret Service and military made the decision to switch planes at RAF Mildenhall, a major US Air Force base in Suffolk, Eastern England, that has served as a joint USAF-RAF operation since 1950 and houses the 100th Air Refueling Wing.
The July 7-8 summit at the Beştepe Presidential Compound marked the second NATO gathering hosted by Turkey, following the 2004 Istanbul summit. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte focused the meeting on three priorities: increasing allied defense investment, bolstering transatlantic defense industrial production, and supporting Ukraine.
Details of the security operation
Trump appeared to board the familiar Air Force One after departing Ankara, but the aircraft served as a decoy while the president was secretly transferred to a smaller military jet. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has led the Pentagon since January 2025, was present during the transfer operation.
Security personnel concealed Trump's movement by transporting him inside an airport catering truck to avoid detection. US officials told CBS News that intelligence had identified a credible Iranian threat, including the possibility of a missile attack against the presidential aircraft.
The threat assessment became particularly acute following intelligence shared by Israel in July 2026, which indicated that elements within Tehran's hardline leadership were advocating to target Trump, though this represented a desire rather than a specific operational plan.
Background to heightened tensions
The security concerns emerged against a backdrop of escalating US-Iran tensions. Iranian officials had previously issued warnings to Trump, including a March 2026 statement from security official Ali Larijani cautioning the president to
be careful not to get eliminated yourselffollowing Trump's threats of strikes over the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
The threat environment intensified after the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israel airstrikes on February 28, 2026. His son Mojtaba Khamenei, who became the new Supreme Leader, vowed revenge at his father's July 6 funeral, where attendees chanted calls for Trump's death.
Standard Air Force One aircraft are equipped with extensive defense systems including Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures for detecting incoming infrared-guided missiles, electromagnetic pulse protection, in-flight refueling capability, and secure communications equipment enabling the plane to function as a mobile command center.
Security experts have noted that defending against nation-state threats presents greater challenges than individual threats, as countries like Iran possess resources to potentially deploy drones, ballistic missiles, or fighter jets against high-value targets.
Trump stated he did not request detailed briefings about the specific nature of the threat, deferring to security officials' judgment on protective measures.
