Trump confirms secret plane switch in Ankara over Iranian assassination threat
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump confirms that he secretly switched to a different plane while returning from the July NATO summit in Ankara. According to him, the decision was made by the Secret Service due to a potential threat, Fox News reports.
What Trump says about changing planes
US President Donald Trump comments to reporters on reports previously circulated by American media regarding his change of planes while returning from the NATO summit in Ankara.
"I go by the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane. I do what they say," he says.
Secret evacuation
On August 11, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported, citing sources, that Trump had been secretly evacuated from Turkey on a different plane. According to the journalists, he transferred from the presidential aircraft Air Force One using a van typically used to deliver food.
According to the publications, the special operation was carried out to prevent a possible assassination attempt on the president by Iran.
Iran threats
After the start of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran on February 28, 2026, Trump repeatedly spoke of threats to his life.
According to him, Iranian authorities attempted to assassinate him twice, but both attempts failed.
On July 11, Trump stated that he had left instructions in case of a possible assassination attempt by Iran.
According to him, strikes of unprecedented force were to be launched across the country in response.
On August 11, more details emerged about the operation to secretly evacuate the President from Türkiye.
According to journalists, the old Air Force One aircraft was effectively used as a decoy for journalists and some administration staff.
