Returning from the NATO summit held in Turkey, US President Donald Trump secretly changed his plane due to a credible Iranian missile threat, according to American officials. They claimed there was a credible risk of missile attack on the presidential aircraft from Iran. Trump was covertly transferred to another military plane using an airport catering truck, and most staff were kept unaware of the move. 26 Saun, Kathmandu.
US media reported that during his return from the NATO summit in Turkey last month, Trump secretly switched planes following a potential Iranian threat. Television cameras had captured Trump boarding Air Force One, but subsequently he was secretly taken to another military aircraft via a catering truck raised to the aircraft’s height at the airport.
According to The Washington Post, even many journalists on board and some White House staff were unaware of the president’s plane change. CBS News quoted US officials saying they had identified a credible threat of missile attack on the plane from Iran. The White House has not confirmed the secret plane switch. Previously, during the Ankara summit, Trump had stated that he was Iran’s primary target.
The covert plane change occurred one day after talks between Washington and Tehran to end the war failed and the US resumed military strikes on Iran. When Trump arrived in Turkey, he used the new Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar. However, on his return, he declared he would fly back on the older Air Force One to reminisce about old times. A video released on July 8 shows Trump boarding the presidential plane at Ankara airport. But The Washington Post reported he was then secretly transferred to a smaller C-32A military plane, a modified Boeing 757 usually used by the vice president. Trump was taken to the C-32A via a catering truck raised to the aircraft’s height. According to the report, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the separate C-32A using an external ladder. This was an effort to make the travel appear normal.
