Trump Secretly Flew on US Military Jet from Türkiye Amid Reported Iranian Threat

WASHINGTON:US President Donald Trump reportedly traveled aboard a secret military flight from Türkiye last month due to a suspected Iranian threat, while the White House had initially indicated that the president was traveling aboard Air Force One.

According to a report by *The Washington Post*, Trump had arrived in Ankara, Türkiye, to attend a NATO summit. The trip marked the first international journey of a new aircraft provided by Qatar for presidential use. However, on the return journey from Türkiye, Trump unexpectedly switched to an older Air Force One aircraft.

The sudden change raised questions about the security of the new aircraft. Subsequent information reportedly revealed that Trump was secretly transported from Türkiye to the United Kingdom aboard a smaller US military aircraft, a C-32A.

According to the report, photographs were taken at Ankara Airport showing Trump boarding the older Air Force One. However, he was later reportedly transferred discreetly in an airport catering truck to another location, where he boarded the US military C-32A.

The aircraft subsequently departed for the United Kingdom and arrived at approximately 10:20 p.m. Shortly afterward, the older Air Force One, along with members of the traveling media, also arrived in Britain.

The report, citing US officials, said the secret flight was arranged because of concerns over an Iranian threat. At the time, military tensions between Iran and the United States were escalating, while Türkiye shares a border with Iran, prompting US officials to take additional precautions regarding the president’s security.

At the time, Trump had said on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would use the older blue-and-white Air Force One to travel from Ankara to Britain. He described the decision as a “throwback” to earlier times.

Trump also said the new aircraft would remain at a military base in Britain so that US service members stationed there could visit it.

However, the new report claims that the actual travel arrangements were considerably more complicated and involved the secret use of a third aircraft.

Asked about the reported secret flight, the White House did not directly comment on the details of the operation. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the new aircraft provided by Qatar had been equipped with high-level security systems to protect the president and his staff.

Cheung added that many US adversaries could seek to target President Trump and that the administration uses all available resources to address such threats.

The Pentagon did not immediately provide a detailed response to the report.

Experts say that if the details of the secret flight are accurate, the incident highlights the seriousness of security threats facing the US president during overseas travel. They noted that amid rising tensions with Iran, presidential movements may require security measures beyond normal procedures.